CONCERNED Ulverston residents believe that plans for the area's former town hall are a recipe for 'rowdy parties and antisocial behaviour'.

Plans to create 18 affordable flats at Ulverston Town Hall have been lodged with South Lakeland District Council (SLDC).

South Lakes Housing plans to convert the former town hall into nine affordable rented apartments and a further nine rented flats are planned for a new annexe, to be built behind the Queen Street building.

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However, the Ulverston Zone A Residents Association is strongly against the application and encouraging other residents to voice their opposition.

In leaflets distributed around the town, the association has outlined its reasons for opposing the development, including the blocking of light to Benson Street, the 'ruining' of a 'relatively unspoilt Georgian streetscape' and the loss of a heritage building.

"A large number of disadvantaged tenants should not be sardine-packed into a single residence," the association states.

"Everyone understands there is a need for “affordable housing”, but that doesn’t mean that every scheme to provide it is a good one, or that blindingly obvious problems with such schemes should be ignored.

The association has also expressed concerns about the tenants that might live in the homes.

"We may get Kendal’s homeless or single people from even farther afield (via the “Cumbria Choice” scheme”)," it wrote. "This sounds like a recipe for rowdy parties and antisocial behaviour. Ulverston Town Centre could become a no-go area after dusk. There are plenty of other local housing developments that could incorporate affordable housing without destroying an architectural asset or putting the character of our Town Centre at risk."

The late Victorian building with its ornate plasterwork ceiling, bold timber door surrounds and glazed roof lay-lights is 'a well-known local landmark and has performed a public role for many decades', according to planning documents.

Social landlord South Lakes Housing held a public consultation in July to share its plans to convert the former town hall.

The council chamber fittings and timber door surrounds would have to be stripped out, but South Lakes Housing hopes to find 'appropriate new homes for these important features'.

The town hall's stucco render exterior, with its sash windows and slate roof, is to be kept 'as intact as possible'.

It is hoped the 13 one-bed flats and five two-bed apartments will help to fulfill some of Ulverston's affordable housing need. According to 2014 figures, some 185 affordable homes were required in the town.

John Mansergh, assistant director at South Lakes Housing said: "The property is owned by SLDC and they have determined that the building should be converted into affordable housing for the local community.

"Following SLDC’s invitation, SLH submitted a planning application to convert the building into much needed affordable homes for local people. The detailed plans are available to view on SLDC’s website. We appreciate there has been a number of residents who are opposed to the development and they will rightly have the ability to object to the proposals.

"We are confident that the proposed development will produce quality and affordable rented homes in a popular and central location. If the proposal goes ahead then local residents will have the opportunity to apply through the Cumbria Choice system. I would reiterate that the proposed development will not be a homeless hostel and the design will meet all buildings regulations and space standards."