PLANS to convert flats in Barrow damaged in a fire last year into a house of multiple occupancy have been given the green light.

Westmorland and Furness Council has approved plans from UBK Properties to convert a three-storey building on Storey Square into an 8-bedroom HMO.

The property was damaged in a fire in June 2023. Two men were taken to hospital with serious injuries and a third man was taken to Furness General Hospital for smoke inhalation.

North West Ambulance Service responded to the emergency with four ambulances, two air ambulances, a response vehicle, and an operational commander.

Since the fire, according to the design and access statement submitted by the applicant, the properties have been empty.

The statement says: “The proposed development will be beneficial to the area by renovating a damaged derelict building and providing much needed residential units.”

According to planning documents, the proposed HMO would consist of a shared kitchen, a large dining room, storage and eight bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. The design and access statement adds the occupancy of the HMO would match that of the flats.

The planning application was approved on September 6.