Proposals to expand a GP practice in Brampton have taken a step forward.

Carlisle City Council has given permission to change part of the former White Lion Hotel in High Cross Street into consulting rooms and offices for the Brampton Medical Practice, found in Market Place.

The pub has stood empty since 2015, when it closed after a short time as an Indian restaurant.

The first phase of the plans shows that the single-storey structure on the south east corner would be converted into a treatment and consulting area for patients.

This part of the building will have two consulting rooms and a small waiting and reception area.

According to the heritage statement: “Phase two of the project will involve the conversion of the remainder of the space, adding in a further four consulting rooms, toilet facilities and staff/administrative offices on both the ground floor and a newly-inserted first floor, replacing an earlier, collapsed first-floor structure taken out some time ago.

“The ‘red area’ will be connected through to this phase and the temporary disabled WC/shower replaced with a further consulting room.

“The original main access door onto High Cross Street will be unblocked and a timber-framed, four-panel door installed with the top two panels being glazed following consultation with the heritage officer – approval for opening this entrance up again was obtained under planning approval."

A spokeswoman for the practice said: “We’re very happy that the planning application has been approved to enable us to move forward with plans to develop part of the White Lion Hotel into consulting rooms for the practice.

“The project is being supported by NHS North Cumbria CCG and is very much in the planning stages at the moment, but we hope that having this additional space will make access to our services easier, and will improve our patients’ overall experiences when using the services.”

Following its closure, the former White Lion Hotel failed to attract a buyer at two separate auctions.

Brampton residents welcomed the news in 2017 that Colin and Dianne Noble, well-known in the town for successfully renovating the nearby Scotch Arms Mews, had purchased the building.

Since then, the formerly tired and worn exterior has been given a striking redecoration, and work to extensively renovate the interior has now begun in earnest.

Plans were approved in June to convert a section of the three-storey building into a private home.

For information on the application go online to the council’s website: publicaccess.carlisle.gov.uk/online-applications

The application numbers are 20/0646 and 20/0647.