A GRADE II listed building in Dalton sold at auction when the local authority could no longer afford to run it is to be converted into flats.

At a meeting of the Barrow Borough Council planning committee, councillors granted their approval for a developer to begin work on the former Dalton Library.

In December last year the grade II listed building, in Nelson Street, was sold off for £104,000, £16k below what its owners, Cumbria County Council, wanted for it.

Related content: Read the story of the library's sale

Cuts imposed on the county council from central government meant savings had to be made, and the decision was taken to move the library into the nearby Drill Hall.

The application to turn the building into seven apartments was unanimously approved by the planning committee when they met on Tuesday.

Councillor Ann Thurlow who sits on the committee, and is also Dalton's mayor, was glad to see the historic building being put to good use.

She said: "To leave the building to crumble, it's not right in my opinion."

Councillors made reference to the Nan Tait Centre in Barrow, which for years was neglected and was in a state of ruin before it underwent a multi-million pound refurbishment.

Cllr Bill McEwan said: "We had the Nan Tait which went to wrack and ruin, I welcome this [development], I think it's a good allocation."

Parking issues which are regularly raised in Dalton was mentioned by Cllr Gordon Murray, who said: "We could have an extra 20 cars, that is my concern. Nelson Street is exceedingly busy."

However it was noted that any extra cars brought in by the development have effectively replaced the drivers who used to visit the library.

Cllr Thurlow added: "I think it's going to be a great use of the building."

Read more planning decisions from our area:

A derelict school site in Barrow is to be turned into an 18-house estate

An Ulverston development has been sunk by planners over flood risks