South Lanarkshire Council

The late 19th century stone built octagonal auction room was part of a series of buildings that made up the former Lanark Auction Market in the town's Hyndford Road.

Detailed planning permission was granted for what is now Braidfute Retail Park in June 2004. Although the approved layout showed the retention of the stone ring, no use was granted for it at the time.

But now the council's Planning Committee have granted detailed planning and listed building consent for the proposal by applicants, Arianna Properties Ltd, which plans to sensitively renovate and extend the site to create a new bar and restaurant on behalf of an Italian restaurant chain.

The existing slate roof and timber rooflights will be repaired as will the internal walls, existing windows and timber ceiling.

Plans also include the creation of a terrace area with external seating, and the construction of a new 30-space car park on vacant land to the east of the building.

Councillor Graham Scott, the chair of the Planning Committee, said: "The auction ring is a prominent feature in the townscape and any extension and alteration must be sympathetic with respect to the octagonal shape.

"These plans show a clear design concept to separate the new from the old, combining the sensitive repair and reuse of the existing building with the addition of an extension which gives precedence to the listed structure.

"I am delighted that such an important structure in the town is to be retained and renovated in a way which it appears will expertly combine the modern with the traditional, whilst bringing new business, and crucially new employment into the town."

Although the committee has delegated powers to determine the proposals, the Listed Building application requires to be referred to Historic Scotland as it affects a Category B structure.