A BUILDING with a 200-year history may be turned into luxury apartments.

Starbeck Hall, which occupies a prominent position in the High Street, in the Harrogate suburb from which it takes its name, was built in 1810 as a warehouse.

That use survived until 1854 when it was replaced by a workhouse.

Since then the hall has been an academy for boys, a private residence, and latterly offices.

Now, Land Registration Management wants consent from Harrogate Borough Council to turn one of the hall's three floors into two apartments.

Although councillors usually frown on the loss of employment space, development control officers are not raising any objection to the plan.

Area planning officer Mairi Lock said the building, listed for its historic and architectural merit, but without any of its original internal features intact, was already used for homes on its upper floors.

So there was no reason why policy should not be set aside on the ground floor. Councillors are expected to approve the scheme at a meeting tomorrow.