Maryport's historic Ewanrigg Hall could be converted into houses and flats.

Owner Kevin Thompson has applied to Allerdale council for full planning permission to partially demolish the grade two listed building and convert it into two houses and four flats, while keeping the integrity of the facade as it is now.

He has also applied for outline planning permission to build 124 homes.

Maryport Town Council members said they would like to see the outside of the hall restored and the development to take place behind that. 

The county archaeologist did not object to the plans but said the buildings and any archaeological assets should be recorded before the development.

They also recommended that an inscribed lintel with the date 1753 and the dressed stone on the facade should be conserved.

Historic England said it supported the principle of re-using and repairing the listed building.

The Georgian Group objected to the plans because it did not believe Mr Thompson had provided a convincing justification to demolish part of the building's original façade.

One letter of objection was received due to road traffic safety while another person was pleased to see the hall re-used but did not want the rear boundary wall to be reduced in height.

The hall was ravaged by fire in August which destroyed the roof and first floor.

Latterly used as a farmhouse, the hall has had three fires including one in the 1970s which led to the third storey being removed.

The hall once belonged to the Christian family, relatives of Bounty mutineer Fletcher Christian, and is one of the town's most historic buildings.

The plans will be discussed by Allerdale council's development panel on Tuesday.