PLANNING bosses have finally approved a controversial scheme to transform a dilapidated Ulverston mansion and its estate into new homes.

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Attempts to gain planning consent to develop Stone Cross Mansion have been ongoing for a decade.

But district council planning chiefs in South Lakeland today voted unanimously in favour of allowing 45 new luxury homes to be constructed in the grounds of the historic property, which borders the town's Daltongate, and for 19 apartments to be created within the house itself.

The move will anger some representatives of Ulverston Town Council who had called for affordable homes to be incorporated into the plans.

Developer Persimmon Homes now hopes construction work at the site will begin later this year with the entire project expected to be completed within three years.

South Lakeland District Councillor Bharath Rajan said saving Stone Cross Mansion from dereliction meant making compromises.

"We are restoring a 19th century building back to what it was so that it is still an exhibition item for Ulverston."

He added: "We have to accept some compromises and what has been proposed here is a very good compromise."