A CARLISLE auction mart could get a new roof and more livestock pens if the proposal gets planning permission.

Richard Rankin, of H&H Group PLC, has applied to Cumberland Council to make the changes at Borderway Mart in Montgomery Way, on the Rosehill Industrial Estate.

The proposed development would involve replacement roofing and an extension to the existing livestock pens.

According to the application form the site covers an area of 5,065 square metres and its current use is described in the document as an auction mart.

It is proposed that the walls are built from matching brickwork and Yorkshire boarding and the roof would be built using cement fibre sheets.

The project is proposing no extra car parking spaces and the internal floorspace would be increased from 2,769 square metres to 3,881.3 square metres.

According to a planning statement the Borderway Mart is located on the eastern side of Montgomery Way to the south of Pioneer Foods/Shepherds Inn/Auctioneer and north of the former Barclays Bank and the agricultural merchants Mathers.

It adds: "The land within the ownership of H&H is bounded by the M6 motorway to the east, Park Road to the south, Montgomery Way to the west and the A69 to the north.

"Under the Carlisle District Local Plan 2015-2030, the application site falls within a designated Primary Employment Area."

The statement claims that the site is within flood zone one with a less than 0.1 per cent chance of flooding in any year.

It states: "The current application is seeking full permission to replace the roofing over the southernmost section of the livestock pens, as a continuation of the roofing work to the cattle pens approved under 09/0075, and the erection of an extension.

"The proposed works are aimed at providing a contemporary roof covering that will improve ventilation and the general welfare of the livestock as well as increasing the available floor space.

"The proposed works are to be constructed externally in matching materials. To construct the proposed extension will involve re-configuring the current internal route of traffic on the south side of the existing sheds.

"However, the proposal does not involve any alterations to the means of access onto Montgomery Way."

It is considered that the proposal will neither affect neighbouring uses as to warrant the refusal of permission, nor unduly be detrimental to highway safety.

The statement adds: "Furthermore, the proposal is not at odds with the underlying objectives of any other relevant policies."

The matter is currently being considered by planning officers at the council.