Ramsey Commissioners have submitted a planning application for the town’s former courthouse.

The application (19/00811/GB) includes alterations, the installation of roof lights which will convert the courthouse into a multifunctional community centre.

The commissioners’ plans will see the building retain a main hall with an overflow section behind a retractable wall.

Other proposed changes include a new kitchen with a cafe, a lobby, toilets and offices as well as retaining its rear courtyard.

On the upper level, two mezzanines open out over the main hall and cafe area with two studios and three offices.

In its application, the commissioners said its ’vision for Ramsey Courthouse is to provide a facility which is used and loved by all’.

The commissioners noted that the building will be used to provide information boards and it is seeking for a ’pigeon hole’ delivery locker or something similar.

The plan for the main hall is for it to host community events such as food markets, food and drink festivals, film screenings, plays, music and other gatherings.

It is suggested that the space on the west wing of the building could be used for a gift shop, tourist information area, an art gallery or other smaller scale displays or events.

While there are many changes ahead for the courthouse, the building will retain its cells, which once held the criminals of the north.

The commissioners said it was keeping the cells to preserve the history of the building’, adding they would be a ’cool place to hire as an office’.

It is also suggested the rear courtyard could be used for deliveries to the building, a hot food market or outdoor cafe or bar areas.

The commissioners included in its application documents the potential for an extension to be built onto the courthouse.

This could take the form of either a permanent structure or a ’more temporary canopied area’.

It is suggested that an extension could be used for a ’more up market restaurant area’, a pop up music venue, a summer cafe or to provide more office space.

However, as the courthouse is a registered building, any extension would have to be sympathetic to the existing structure.

In June, it was announced the commissioners had agreed a deal in principle with The Heart of Ramsey (THOR) Limited, a not-for-profit charitable organisation, ’to bring forward the next stage of development’.

As the courthouse is a registered building, an application for registered building consent has also been submitted (19/00812/CON).