A HISTORIC building could finally be transformed into new homes after planning bosses issued an official recommendation that a major redevelopment scheme should be approved.

Planning permission is being sought to create 19 self-contained flats within Stone Cross Mansion, near Ulverston, as well as building 45 houses in its grounds.

Tomorrow, planning chiefs from South Lakeland District Council will discuss the controversial scheme, submitted by Charles Church Ltd, before voting on whether it should be given a provisional green light.

The proposal for the Grade II listed property on the outskirts of the town is the latest in a series of attempts to transform the building over the past decade.

The official recommendation to those set to make the decision, at SLDC's planning meeting in Kendal, states: "It is concluded that on balance the proposed development is acceptable, subject to a number of comprehensive conditions recommended by the technical consultees."

If approved, the scheme would see Stone Cross Mansion itself turned into 19 two and three-bedroom units with parking for 32 cars, while the gatehouse would be redeveloped into a three-bedroom home.

Outside, the 45  four and five-bedroom properties would be set in three clusters linked by a new road.

The formal gardens, lawn, fountain and pond would also be restored should planning permission be granted, the development firm states.

The plans, which have been subject to lengthy and detailed negotiations in order to satisfy building conservationists, have attracted a wave of objections from local residents as well as from experts from The Victorian Society and SLDC's own heritage officer. 

A letter from Ulverston Civic Trust states: "Although some work has been done to reduce the harm caused to the mansion building itself, we still feel the new-build element of the design is too dense and would create too much damage to the heritage asset.

"As it currently stands due to the harm the proposal would create to the heritage asset, we cannot support this application and would ask these plans are rejected."
Stone Cross Mansion was built for the successful Kennedy family in 1874.

It has since been used as a special school and as offices for high-tech Furness firm Marl.

Since 2002 however, it has fallen into a state of poor repair and been subjected to vandalism.

Two previous schemes put forward to develop the building and its grounds, in 2005 and 2013, have been either withdrawn or rejected.