THE former Settle Police Station and Courthouse has been sold subject to planning permission being granted for its conversion to seven homes.

The listed building, in Duke Street, has been empty since April, 2012, when police moved into converted stables at the back.

An attempt to sell it at auction more than a year later was unsuccessful when it failed to reach the guide price of more than £400,000.

A planning application submitted by the Police and Crime Commissioner for its conversion to ten flats had been withdrawn just before it had gone to auction.

Developer Ilkley-based Candelisa, which recently finished the residential conversion of Skipton's Providence House - the former headquarters of Skipton Building Society - has now submitted plans for its conversion to seven homes.

The application to Craven District Council includes external and internal alterations and extensions.

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner, said it was hoped the sale could be completed as soon as possible.

“It is good news that the old Settle police station been sold subject to planning, and hopefully good progress will continue to be made on the sale," she said.

"The disposal of Settle station was always intended and, depending on the success of the planning application, North Yorkshire Police hopes to complete the sale as soon as possible.”

Candelisa, which says it has sold all 39 flats in the converted former Skipton Building Society headquarters, has now moved onto the residential conversion of next door Caroline House.

The conversion will include a new base for the company, which it plans to have finished by July.

Managing director Guy Taylor said in addition to Skipton and Settle, the company was developing projects in Leeds, Haworth and Pendle.

"We have been steadily and strategically building our land and property bank over recent years and are now ideally placed to take advantage of the upturn in the property market and the increasing demand for top quality accommodation in desirable locations," he said.

"We are actively looking to acquire additional sites in target areas across the north of England which match our philosophy of exceptional spaces in exceptional places."