FIVE full time jobs could be created if the owners of a Carlisle hotel get permission to change the use of empty offices on the first floor of the building.

Bosses are hoping to create 22 additional hotel rooms at the Travelodge Carlisle Central Hotel at Exchange House in Cecil Street.

The site covers an area of 1180 square metres and the hotel currently occupies the ground and second to fourth floors of the property.

According to the planning application the first floor remains unoccupied and is accessible only via stepped access from Cecil Street.

Currently there are 22 full time equivalent (FTE) jobs and it is proposed that this would be 27 FTE posts – the five additional roles would all be full time – if permission for the change of use of the first floor is granted.

According to a sound assessment the first floor, which was formerly used as an office space, will be leased by Travelodge and they would be converted into the 22 hotel guest rooms.

The sound survey was carried out at the site, between February 29 and March 7 this year, and the report states: "Sound measurements were taken to establish typical ambient sound levels, which are used to inform sound insulation requirements for the external building fabric in accordance with Travelodge brand requirements and Local Planning Policy.

"In addition, typical existing levels of background sound were measured to determine appropriate sound emission limits for proposed mechanical services plant in accordance with Local Planning Policy."

According to the report observations on site indicated that the existing façade of the building comprises cavity masonry. It states: "This should provide a minimum sound reduction performance of a weighted sound reduction of around an index (Rw) of 52dB.

"Existing windows appear to be aluminium-framed double-glazed units with sound attenuating passive trickle-vents."

According to the report daytime internal sound measurements were completed at first floor level and it states: "The results of these indicate Travelodge Tenant Requirements are comfortably satisfied.

"Potentially, this suggests that existing windows and ventilators offer adequate sound insulation. Notwithstanding this, a more detailed assessment of existing windows in terms of sound insulation and/or internal sound levels would be required to see that internal sound limits are achieved for both daytime and nighttime periods."

The report concludes that the existing façades and roof of Exchange House are likely to provide substantial levels of sound insulation such that sound intrusion via windows and vents will dictate internal sound levels.

It states: "On this basis, assessment of sound insulation is limited to windows and vents. Sound levels measured at the building façades have been used to assess the sound insulation requirements for new windows and vents.

"Measurements of internal sound levels within building suggest existing windows and ventilators may meet these requirements, subject to a more detailed assessment.

"Consequently, outline sound insulation performance specifications are provided for both windows and ventilators for assessment of existing or selection of new replacements."

The planning application is being considered by planning officers at Cumberland Council.