A PLANNING application has been submitted to change the use of a vacant former retail unit to a restaurant in Carlisle

The proposal seeks to convert the former Oak Tree Animals Charity shop on 68 Lowther Street into a Turkish restaurant. 

Plans have been registered with Cumberland Council's planning authority on April 6, on behalf of Mr Mintimur. 

News and Star: Plans on design and access statementPlans on design and access statement (Image: Cumberland Council)

The design and access statement states: "The building has remained vacant for several years and was described in the last officer's statement as being in a derelict state.

"It has recently been upgraded along the shop frontages with replacement panels and general cleaning down.

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"It currently has approval to split into three independent retail units with alternative frontages and fascias.

"The current application retains the building intact, diverting all upgrading internally to allow it to be brought back into use, this time as a restaurant.

"As the conversion work is essentially internal, there is no impact to this part of the conservation area by way of character or historical degradation.

"There is also no loss of building fabric but a gain of building use from its current vacant and negative condition to that of a contributory factor of the city’s commercial health." 

The public can view and comment on all applications submitted to Cumberland Council for approval.

Councillors on the planning panel will take comments of support or objection into account when giving a verdict.