PLANS to convert a centuries old building in Kirkby Stephen into holidays homes have been green-lighted.

An application to turn the building known as the Band Room, on Market Street into two apartments was recently given the go-ahead by Eden District Council.

The building is currently used as workshops, storerooms and meeting rooms.

The developer is Peter Davenport, who lists his address as Nateby Road, Kirkby Stephen.

In the application form he said: "This application is to change the use of the Band Room, workshop into holiday apartments one for wheelchair accessibility."

Proposals include putting on a new roof, solar panels, installing bathrooms and kitchenettes in each apartment and creating a new entrance off The Black Bull Yard.

According to the Heritage Asset Statement, submitted to the council: "The band room is situated in the Black Bull yard in the centre of Kirkby Stephen Conservation Area.

"The age of the building is unknown, the ground floor is probably two hundred years old.

"There is evidence to say that the ground floor was added later.

"The proposed development would preserve the heritage of the building by keeping the buildings integrity.

"The Band Room is unique in its design for te immediate area, having he external staircase and a steep angled roof pitch.

"Standing alone from other buildings, it has a significant presence.

"We do not propose to extend it and only plan to make very small changes to its external appearance in a very sympathetic way."