This is how the lodge that sits within Carlisle’s Bitts Park could look as part of plans to improve the popular attraction.

The building, currently out of use, is set to be given a new lease of life as Carlisle City Council looks to continue improving flood resilience in the park following Storm Desmond.

The existing pavilion was severely damaged along with the public toilets and depot when the park flooded in December 2015. However the lodge, which sits adjacent to the car park, only suffered minor flooding in its basement.

As a result, plans are being drawn up to redevelop the existing building so it can house new cafe and changing facilities. It would also deal with bookings for the tennis courts.

The proposals, which include plans to demolish the existing pavilion and toilets, will be put to Carlisle City Council’s ruling executive next week.

The authority has been offered a settlement of more than £670,000 by insurers for the reinstatement of park facilities, including play equipment, a water feature, contents, fixtures and fittings and loss of income.

A report by Mark Walshe, the council's strategic asset and investment services manager, states that it quickly became apparent to officers working alongside WYG - the firm commissioned for all flood recovery projects - that the pavilion was beyond repair, giving an opportunity to revamp the area.

His report adds: “Consideration then turned to the former lodge, which sits in an elevated location within the flood defences constructed following the 2005 floods and is now unsuitable for residential occupation.

“However, as the building suffered only minor flooding to the basement during the 2015 floods, the lodge offers significant resilience advantages over the current pavilion location. The building is also an important feature within the park and its retention is seen as important.”

Dr Les Tickner, the council's deputy leader, told The Cumberland News: "We’ve struggled to find a use for the lodge since before the 2005 floods. We’ve looked at turning it into a residential property or making it a holiday let but that never came off. We want to retain the building.

“When the pavilion was damaged, we decided that it could be turned into a cafe with office space upstairs for people that work in the park to use. We also want to turn it into a venue that people will be able to hire out.”

In his report, Mr Walshe said that the former pavilion provided “very limited” catering options and that an “enhanced” cafe would be an attractive addition to the park. He also noted that there had been reports of vandalism and anti-social behaviour at the existing public toilets.

His report adds: “Having considered the location and user requirements, plans were then devised to redevelop the former lodge into a new pavilion facility.

“A new single-storey addition would be built do the rear of the existing lodge and would encompass an enhanced cafe area with decked area overlooking the park, together with an integrated toilet facility within the building which would effectively be self-policed and only open when the facility was open, thus reducing the risk of anti-social behaviour.”

Dr Tinkler explained that the majority of the £670,741 insurance settlement would be used on the lodge, but some of the money would also be used to improve the park's entrance.

He added: “Obviously we’re going to require planning permission, but this is something that we will be looking to fast-track. If everything goes to plan then hopefully we will be starting work at the beginning of next year.

“I think it will be a really positive addition to Bitts Park. We’re keen to improve the central areas and it will be somewhere that people can come and get a coffee and enjoy time in the park.”