A MULTI-million pound scheme, which could change the face of Kendal town centre, is to go once more before planners, reports Ruth Lythe.

But the owner of a builders' yard, which would have to be demolished if the plans went ahead, has submitted his own separate plans to turn his premises into a restaurant and bar.

Developers Maple Grove PLC has submitted a range of proposals, which centre on Entry Lane and Woolpack Yard. The plans include: l A town centre hotel.

l Five new shops, with two stores having a floor space of more than 14,000 square feet, aimed at bigger retailers who presently cannot find a large enough space in Kendal.

l A public square at the end of Woolpack Yard, connecting to a new pedestrian yard, which would link the new Booths store to Marks and Spencer.

l Demolishing a row of buildings and two building yards, which presently stand between Entry Lane and Woolpack Yard.

Maple Grove initially submitted a planning application to develop the area in January this year. But after consulting with the public and planning officers, the company has now submitted an amended application to South Lakeland District Council.

In a change to the previous plans, this application does not include an underground car park.

Tony Hills, of SMC Corstorphine and Wright, the architects behind the application, said: "The application represents an exciting regeneration opportunity to connect the Marks and Spencer and Elephant Yard area with the Booths and Wainwright's Yard area.

"The two builders' yards on site are at odds with a key shopping centre location and the buildings there present a barrier for people wanting to walk north and south between these two important shopping destinations."

But in a twist to the tale, it has emerged that the owner of one of the buildings that would be demolished if the scheme goes ahead has submitted his own planning application for the premises. Jonty Martindale, the owner of Martindales Building Contractors, said he had applied for permission to turn his Entry Lane premises into a restaurant/bar.

SLDC approved plans for the conversion in 2000 but planning permission has since expired without the work being carried out.

Mr Martindale, who also owns Bootleggers Bar, on Finkle Street, said he had been aware that Maple Grove wanted to purchase the building for several years.

However, he said he had been left "in limbo" while waiting for plans to be drawn up and had decided to resubmit his application to turn the site into a bar.

Mr Martindale said: "I just want to know where I am going. Maple Grove has been dragging it on and on."

He said that he would not rule out selling to the company, although this would depend on whether it came up "with the right amount".

A spokesman for Maple Grove said that he was unaware of Mr Martindale's application. But he confirmed that negotiations "had been opened" with landowners on the site.