Plans to convert a regional daily’s former office into flats have been given the green light – but will not include any affordable housing.

HTFP previously reported how a developer had unveiled a seven-figure plan to turn the old Barrow-in-Furness home of South Cumbria daily The Mail into 11 flats.

Permission has now been granted for the development of the Newspaper House building, in Abbey Road, by Barrow Borough Council.

According to the Mail, the council’s principal planning officer Maureen Smith informed councillors that, due to the number of flats being built, the 10pc affordable housing figure previously slated would not be financially viable to the developer.

The Abbey Road office

Members of the council’s planning committee still voted with 11 councillors in favour and none opposed.

Three shop units will be built on the ground floor and a communal roof terrace will form part of the modern additions.

The agent has yet to reveal a date for construction works to begin, which will also see the entrance to the building being relocated to the side by the car park.