A PENRITH-BASED company has submitted plans to transform the former Booths supermarket in Kendal into flats and a shop.

Cabinguild Ltd, which owns the Highgate property, has applied to South Lakeland District Council for permission to knock down the rear of the building and build 30 apartments while proposals for a retail unit at the front include returning the 19th Century faade to its former glory.

If given the go-ahead by planners, the three-storey Victorian building that faces on to Highgate will feature a ground-floor shop with accommodation above while the development to the rear which will feature two-bedroom apartments will offer residents lower level access to garages and four floors of flats.

The proposals which are likely to go before a planning committee in the New Year - will also see the creation of a small courtyard for residents.

No one at Cabinguild was available to comment on the plans for the landmark building, which was badly damaged in a fire in July.