Proposals for a cattle arena in Longtown have been given the green light.

Carlisle City Council approved the application, which had been submitted in March, for the site at Townfoot from the Cumberland and Dumfriesshire Farmers Mart.

The development will include "three steel-framed viewing stands".

The justification statement, submitted to the council from agents Abacus Building Design, said: “The mart has been in operation since the early 1930s and is well recognised and successful.

“In recent years the auction business has expanded, and a demand for more space to sell their product has become an essential factor.

“We feel there is an existing brownfield site, in the form of an overspill car park, which is situated within the operational area of the mart, would be ideally located.”

The council’s recommendations and reasons report said: “The submitted drawing illustrate that the ring/arena would adjoin the existing livestock building with the three viewing stands located to the north, south and east of the proposed ring/arena.

“The stands would be finished in forest green steel panels with the ring/arena finished in concrete with attached safety rails.

“The scale and design of the ring/arena and stands are appropriate to the overall use of the auction mart and would be viewed against the backdrop of other larger buildings within the mart."

For more information go to publicaccess.carlisle.gov.uk/online-applications

The application reference is 21/0262.