A Cockermouth building which is structurally unsound can be demolished after planning officers at Cumberland Council granted planning permission.
The building, in the All Saints car park, belongs to Kirkgate Arts and is the former clubhouse of Derwent Athletic Club.
It is working on an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund to cover the first phase of redevelopment, including a feasibility study, community consultation and the development of a building plan.
Cumberland Council officers said the building, in the Cockermouth Conservation Area, was not listed and was not considered to have any architectural merit.
Cockermouth Town Council had recommend approval.
Officers added: “The building is subservient in scale to the surrounding buildings and is in poor condition with a notice to undertake demolition been served on the owner by the council’s building control section.
“It is in the officer’s opinion that the scheme would not be detrimental to the character of the conservation area. Officers consider that the proposal is acceptable.”
Originally a temporary classroom, the building was erected after the war to accommodate more pupils in the original All Saints School, now the Kirkgate Centre.
The building was bought by an anonymous donor and passed on to Kirkgate Arts with a long-term aim in mind.
Kirkgate Arts estimate demolition will take around a week.
