A SLEEK new glass lobby roofed with grass is being planned for the Kendal headquarters of South Lakeland District Council.

The two-storey-high glazed atrium forms a key part of the council's £4.9 million vision to refurbish and modernise South Lakeland House and Kendal Town Hall, as previously reported by the Gazette.

If the plans lodged by SLDC meet with approval, the existing 1990s-built entrance to the council HQ at Lowther Street would be demolished and replaced with a new glass lobby, topped by a green roof "to reflect Kendal's rural location".

SLDC's reception would be relocated to Kendal Town Hall so customers could enter straight off Highgate, rather than down the narrow, sloping Angel Yard - putting the council "at the heart of the high street".

Kendal Town Council has raised no objection to the planned lobby, which would feature frames made from aluminium and glulam timber engineered from bonded layers of wood.

The current reception area at South Lakeland House would be remodelled to create a hub with offices that could be rented by local businesses and a "break-out area" where start-up businesses could meet.

Planning documents state the proposed lobby has been designed to create "a modern and light entrance that is welcoming to all users".

Plans have been lodged with SLDC.

The overall £4.9m scheme was given the go-ahead by SLDC's Cabinet in February 2019.