SOUTH Lakeland District councillors are to make a site visit to Sand Aire House to help them decide the future of Kendal's former Axa buildings.

Crosby Homes (Lancashire) Ltd wants to carry out a major redevelopment of the distinctive buildings on Stramongate, which became available following the insurance company's decision to pull out of Kendal.

Plans submitted to SLDC include internal alterations to form a bar/restaurant and office space, and the conversion of an office block to residential and commercial use.

The proposal includes creating 78 residential apartments, as well as 11 new penthouse apartments on the roof and a further four units within the tower structure.

Councillors on the development control sub-committee followed officer advice to visit the buildings to help them fully appreciate the issues involved in the plans for the town centre site.

Committee chairman Coun Colin Hodgson said: "This is a big application and I think we would be well advised to go and visit it."