WORKS to convert Kendal’s K Village into a Travelodge hotel could start in January.

A planning application to transform the redundant shopping centre into a 69-bedroom hotel with 88 one-bed residential apartments, was given the go-ahead by council planners today.

South Lakeland District Council's planning committee meeting was told it would bring to an end the “dreadful” history of the £100 million complex which opened just eight years ago on Lound Road.

Dan Brown, a planning consultant speaking on behalf of the applicants, said the hotel proposal enjoyed lots of support.

He said 86 percent of the public who took part in a consultation were in favour.