PLANS have been lodged with the council to transform a hotel in Barrow into a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) with 29 bedrooms.

Abbey lodge Ltd have submitted proposals to Westmorland and Furness Council to convert the Chetwynde Hotel and its annex on Abbey Road in Barrow into a 29-bedroom HMO.

Planning documents show the proposed development will have 29 en suite bedrooms as well as communal facilities such as kitchens and lounges.

A design and access statement says: “There will be no material change to the building’s appearance as a result of the development. The proposals do not alter any of the access to the parking facilities, there will be a net reduction in traffic flow from the HMO use compared to the sites present use as of licensed hotel with associated function facility.

“As an internal conversion and change of use the proposal has no impact on the neighbouring properties, it also respects the residential nature of its location and shares similar features to other HMOs also located on Abbey Road.”

Planning documents also state there will be 'no elevational changes' to the building but there will some 'minor internal alterations' to facilitate access to the communal areas.

This application is currently undergoing a public consultation period which will end on Saturday (December 30).