AN architect firm based in York has secured planning permission to create 13 apartments in London.

DWA Architects will convert a former care home in Muswell Hill into "high quality" flats on behalf of Ventry Residential Care.

A spokesman for the company said the planning process was complex because of the site's location in a conservation area, with three staged planning applications needing the green light before conversion goes ahead.

David Ward, managing director of the company, said: β€œIt’s great to see this building being brought back to life and new homes being created. The challenge was to ensure that the internal designs provided good quality living space for each home, which we have achieved.”