A FORMER furniture shop in Ulverston is 'unsafe' and 'should be demolished as a matter of urgency' according to plans before South Lakeland District Council.

Accurite Properties Ltd is seeking approval to knock down the 19th century building in Ulverston's conservation area and replace it with nine apartments - three with one bedroom, and six with two bedrooms.

The three-storey property on the corner of Soutergate and Church Walk has 'limited architectural merit' and has been empty for years, according to planning documents.

Design consultants Partington and Associates reported that the building was in such 'poor condition' that it had to be propped up by scaffolding to prevent the risk of collapse. It had not been possible to keep and convert the former furniture store, they added.

However, Ulverston resident Melanie Gifford wrote that the proposed block of flats was too big and did not incorporate features such as the ornate plasterwork around the existing 'visually appealing' building's windows.

Meanwhile, resident David Sankey was concerned about lack of car parking for the flats.