THE magistrates' court building on Burneside Road in Kendal is likely to make way for housing.

Homes England, a subsidiary of the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, confirmed it was looking into selling the building.

The town's South Cumbria Magistrates' Court stopped administering justice in June, almost 25 years after it was opened by HRH The Princess Royal.

A spokesperson for South Lakeland District Council said: “Our understanding is that Homes England has bought this site under a specific scheme to increase housing supply in line with Government targets.

“The council considers this site as potentially offering an opportunity for extra care housing and this has been discussed with Homes England.

“South Lakeland District Council has a key Council Plan commitment to help enable the completion of 300 new extra care homes in the district by 2025, to meet an identified demand for specialist housing to enable older or more vulnerable people to stay in their own homes.

“An application for any form of housing on this site would be subject to the usual planning process.’’

The Westmorland Gazette launched a campaign in 2015 to save the court - Keep Justice Local - which was backed by local solicitors who voiced anger at the Ministry of Justice's decision to close the court.

Kendal's courthouse was one of 80 permanently closed across the country to save money and fund investment in new technology.