THESE are the first drawings of how the proposed large-scale development of Kendal's Woolpack Yard would look.

The plans for the scheme, which include a hotel, large shop units and a link between Booths and Marks and Spencer's lower car parks, have now been submitted to South Lakeland District Council.

The architect behind the project, Tony Hills, of Corstorphine and Wright Hills Erwin, who also designed Wainwright's Yard, said he hoped the plans would provide a mixture of old and new.

"We have tried to use features - particularly with materials - to pick up something of the character of what was around the site before," he said.

Mr Hills hoped that people would now take the opportunity to look at the plans and come back with comments.

The proposals have been submitted by Maple Grove Developments Ltd, the development arm of the Eric Wright Group, which was behind the transformation of the area of town including the former Westmorland Gazette yard into Wainwright's Yard.

In his design statement, Mr Hills explains how he hopes the scheme will provide a new destination to Woolpack Yard, and achieve a north-south pedestrian link to connect Marks and Spencer to Booths and Wainwright's Yard.

The lower level of Booths car cark would be connected to the lower level of Marks and Spencer's car park via a vehicle ramp. This ramp would be covered and not visible.

The M&S car park would be extended to provide an additional 69 spaces.

Above the car park would be a large shop unit which would face the new north-south pedestrian link from Marks and Spencer to Entry Lane and Wainwright's Yard.

The development would include a further four shop units. If shop units one and four were combined, they would create a substantial amount of floor space.

A 50-bed hotel would be accessed from Woolpack Yard.

To arrive at the development by car, drivers would either enter off Library Road to the lower level of Marks and Spencer's car park or from Low Fellside via Booths lower car park.

There are six key aims of the scheme: l Provide a large retail space to accommodate demand from national retailers for larger floor areas.

l Increase pedestrian use of the conservation area, creating the north-south link as well as a destination for Woolpack Yard.

l Connect two major car parks, plus additional car parking.

l Enhance the conservation area by developing an under-used area of the town centre.

l Create a town centre hotel to meet requirements for business hotel accommodation.

l Fit commercial development within the existing yard pattern.

The plans are available for viewing at South Lakeland House, in Kendal, and comments can be made to SLDC. The application is unlikely to be discussed by councillors before June.