The Pier Street property will have its asbestos removed and return with a colourful new reincarnation

A quirky old building in the city's Fruit Market is set to be replaced with a modern replica.

The distinctive single-storey property in Pier Street originally formed part of a former wholesale fruit warehouse and auction room fronting Humber Street. While most of the surrounding buildings including the warehouse have been brought back into use as part of the area's recent regeneration programme, it has remained largely untouched.

Steel-framed and clad in asbestos sheeting, it was built as an extension to the main warehouse constructed shortly after the Second World War on the site of a former Wesleyan Chapel which was destroyed in a 1941 bombing raid. Now plans have been submitted to Hull City Council to revamp it.

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Under the proposals by joint venture company Fruit Market LLP, it will be re-built around its existing steel frame with the asbestos sheet cladding being replaced with new multi-coloured metal cladding and a new composite panelled roof. In addition, a new glazed shop front will be installed on Pier Street together with a new rear fire escape door.

In a planning statement submitted with the application, the company says: "These proposals have been brought about by absolute necessity. This part of the building received only light touch attention during the 2017-2018 restorations and, as such, it is now time to carry out work that will provide a permanent solution to the building’s deteriorated state. In effect, it is therefore proposed to replace a substantial part of the building’s external envelope.

"Humber Street and the wider Fruit Market have undergoing extensive refurbishment, and indeed, rebuilding. The concept of "Urban Village" was widely mooted at design stage and has now become a reality, by supporting an eclectic array of both cultural and largely independent commercial uses.

"The above proposals, therefore, embrace this and will become a further intrinsic part of this wider vision. Equally, the physical changes to the building fabric are deliberately low-key.

"In effect, they recognise that this single storey element has always been a subordinate element, clad in lightweight industrial materials. As such, this configuration is retained and none of the character or architectural integrity will be eroded.

"The proposals involve restoration and repair works that are long overdue, involving the recladding of the rear single storey element. Though plain and utilitarian, the building is what it is, so leaving it in its existing form is appropriate.

"The approach taken then, as far as these proposals are concerned, is to as far as practicable to preserve the building and make good, and not to alter it."