PLANS have been submitted to the Lake District National Park Authority for a housing development in the centre of Ambleside.

Housing developers Cook and Larkin Properties have requested full planning permission from the LDNPA to build low cost housing and three business units on the site of the former Brown's bus depot.

The site is bounded by St Mary's Lane, The Slack and Compston Street and is surrounded by homes and small businesses and is designated for employment purposes under the local plan.

But Cook and Larkin Properties hope to build seven two- and three-bedroom houses, three single bedroom apartments and three workshop-style business units on the site The developer, who own the site, says that the housing will include a local occupancy provision.

The former Brown's bus depot will be knocked down to make way for the project if it is granted permission by the planners.

Architect Roger Armstrong said he believed "the mixed development" would benefit Ambleside.

"I think it is what the area needs, the site is not really suitable for employment purposes because of access requirements," he said.