An unauthorised development which has created a main street eyesore, was able to go ahead because of Covid.

Allerdale planners have acknowledged to the Aspatria Town Council that work on the King Street Grapes Hotel was unauthorised, but planning and building control manager Simon Sharp said it was unlikely any action would be taken in the near future.

“Please can the town council be assured that we will be pursuing this formal action as soon as resources allow but this is, unfortunately, likely not to be until a few weeks’ time.

“This is due to significant staff resource issues that we are facing at the moment following some team departures and the arrival of a new IT operating system which has resulted in some secondments.”

But he added that the works did not pose a serious threat to health and safety so, although a high priority, the case was not urgent.

“A delay is unfortunate and I apologise to the council for this, but it doesn’t actually affect the process and outcomes.”

Aspatria councillors are furious at the delay and the work which they say has turned the old sandstone building into an eyesore.

All councillors reported complaints from the public and concerns about public safety.

A firm of builders, believed to have come from Heathrow, had used stacked pallets as scaffolding, councillors were told.

The building had also been “defaced” when the sandstone was covered by an 'unsightly cladding'.

It has since been skimmed and painted white, but is still upsetting residents who are mourning the loss of an iconic building.

There is also anger at the fact that the builders appear to have disappeared, leaving two large skips full of rubbish outside the building.

Acting mayor Alan Maxwell said: “I can’t call them cowboy builders but that is what it seems like.”

Cllr Alan Reay said he was angry that Allerdale had failed to take action when the council received complaints, not only from the council, but also from concerned members of the public.

“They say they are going to do something, but it might be too late. The builders must have drilled holes into the sandstone to attach the cladding. The Grapes needed some refurbishment, but the way it has been done, I don’t think we will ever get that old building back.”

In March last year, Allerdale planners gave approval for the old hotel into six flats with the assurance that: “The Grapes Hotel is prominently situated in the centre of the town and makes a positive contribution to the appearance of the street.”

It added: "And this can be achieved without adversely affecting its appearance.”