A WORKINGTON park is one step closer to being transformed, after plans for a new railway and pottery workshop and café area have been approved.

Planning permission has been granted by Cumberland Council to develop a Railway Workshop, Pottery Workshop, Kitchen, Café, Glasshouse, and associated works. The proposed development will be set around an events area in the centre of the site. The application also proposes a picnic area, educational area and play area.

Applicants West House envisage the site as an 'education visitor experience, and tourist attraction to complement the existing recreational character of the surrounding area'.

12 new jobs are said to be created as a result of the proposed development, these will include three full time jobs and nine part time vacancies, according to a planning statement submitted to Cumberland council.

The Pottery Workshop and Railway Workshop will be developed through the conversion of the existing buildings to the west of the site, whilst the proposed café and kitchen are to be located on the southern boundary of the site.

Their will also be a glasshouse built  to the east of the site, as well as a small existing building  proposed to be used for storage on the northern boundary.

An officers report in documents attached to the application, said: "The site is located outside of the defined settlement limits however the park plays an important role in the open space and leisure space for Workington.

"The walled garden is an existing community facility and the proposals seek to expand this offer which would support the ongoing viability of the community facility and encourage users of the town centre to access the park and its associated heritage assets of Curwen Hall."

Planning permission was granted to West House on March, 6 with Cumberland council providing a number of conditions in regards to the application.