Plans to turn a former Knaresborough auction house into flats have been submitted.

Wetherby-based ATK Building Solutions Ltd's change of use application was uploaded on to the North Yorkshire Council website on Monday.

Planning documents say the former Thornton & Linley Auctioneers site on Jockey Lane is now vacant, but it was used as the company's salesroom and office until recently.

There is already a two-bedroom flat on site, but the applicant proposes to create three additional two-bedroom flats.

ATK Building Solutions plans to remove the existing outbuildings to the south of the site and rebuild a stone boundary wall. 

It also proposes to increase the size of the basement to include “light wells and a new access”.

The external access staircase would be replaced if plans are approved, and three French or Juliet balconies would be installed.

Plans say the external areas would also be re-surfaced and a timber portico would be put up at the ground floor entrance.

The building is considered to be in good condition and suitable for conversion, but the existing stone boundary wall to the south of the site is "leaning" and the external staircase is also in "poor condition".

Planning documents say:

The development would secure the building’s future use, preserve the existing character and appearance of the fabric, and enhance the doorway facing the High Street, plans say.

It also says the ideal way of securing the future of historic buildings is to keep them in active use, but this requires "some degree of adaptation".

There are three existing parking spaces at the site – no additional spaces are proposed – but ATK Building Solutions plans to install four bike spaces.

The council will issue a verdict on the plans at a later date.