THE demolition of a former country house hotel and restaurant near Ulverston met with approval from planners.

The Armadale Hotel in the hamlet of Arrad Foot has been empty for several years and is "deteriorating", according to documents lodged with South Lakeland District Council by applicant Mark Brownlee.

One neighbour objected to the hotel being knocked down, saying the attractive building should be "preserved for posterity".

Parts of the roof where roosting bats have been found are to be demolished by hand, under the watchful eye of a bat consultant, and bat boxes are to be placed on nearby trees.

Interesting features such as cornice stones, a weather vane and railings are to be salvaged and incorporated in new housing planned for the site.