THE green light has been given for a controversial plan to develop Ulverston's Town Hall into affordable housing, in spite of local opposition.

Plans to redevelop the disused town centre site in Queen Street provoked the formation of action group 'Zone A', focused on encouraging a different use for the site.

However, despite the group's claims that the development would damage the town's heritage and cause congestion, SLDC's planning committee voted to approve the development due to the need to bring back into use a disused town asset.

Speaking at the meeting, development control committee leader Mark Loughran outlined the plans to convert the building into 17 flats - an amended plan to the one previously submitted that specified 18 units.

The work would be carried out by South Lakes Housing, a not-for-profit group aimed at increasing the availability of affordable housing in the South Lakes.

When work begins the annexe at the rear of the building, which borders Theatre Street and Benson Street, will be demolished and a new one constructed.

This, along with the office space inside the town hall, will then be converted into one and two-bedroom flats.

SLDC councillor Helen Irving, objected to the application as it would make town centre traffic congestion worse.

She said: "There are not enough parking spaces. The streets are congested now and the streets are going to get worse."

However, Cllr Sylvia Emmett proposed approval of the application, highlighting the fact that there was a large nearby carpark by the theatre that people visiting the town could use rather than parking in the street. That way, the street parking could be kept for any car-owning residents.

She also said: "The houses proposed within the development are small units that may not always house people who own a car."

Cllr Brenda Gray added: "We have to bite the bullet and deal with the parking. I support this application and believe it needs to go ahead."

The council did propose a condition with their approval that the parking on Queen Street be closely monitored so that the spaces are only used by residents.

The council voted eight-to-one in favour of approval with the added condition. There was one abstention.