ANOTHER 15 rooms could be built at a pub in Carlisle that is currently undergoing renovation.

Work on the Horse & Farrier at the corner of Wigton Road and Orton Road is continuing. Now plans have been submitted for a further 15 rooms in the grounds - on land that was going to be a Tesco store.

The pub - one of the city's derelict Harry Redfern sites - has stood empty for 11 years but work is ongoing to transform it into a gastro pub.

Carlisle-born businessman Richard Berry is looking to invest £1.5m in transforming the former Horse & Farrier pub.

The gastro pub will be based on another of his businesses – Romneys in Kendal, one of the most successful food-led pubs in the north west of England.

Tesco owned the site for several years before the sale in 2017.

New plans submitted to Carlisle City Council state: "The proposal is to construct a new accommodation block in the grounds of the public house.

"The highway access is as the original Tesco application.

"We have modified the parking layout and instead of building a large modern superstore structure, we propose a complementary designed accommodation block, this is positioned away from the pub with parking around.

"The detailing of the accommodation block will include, rendered walls, clay roof tiles, oak framed windows and doors.

"The security of the site and car park are of concern. The proposal is to build a facing brick wall to the entrance, well back from the highway to

allow deliveries and bin emptying without opening the car park.

"The gate will slide behind the wall rather than swinging open and blocking access. The gate will be closed overnight for site security.

"External cameras mounted to the building will cover the entire rear of the site."

Stephen Whitehead, who is involved in the project, said: "The big news is that we decided to use the space that was going to be a Tesco for additional accommodation so we have applied for planning for a building that matches the pub and will have 15 rooms to go with the five that are above the pub.

"Things are coming on inside with new toilets built, kitchen extension complete. Until we get the roof finished and the scaffolding down, it feels a long way off getting finished. When that comes down it'll fly."

Mr Berry wants to retain the original character of the 1928 Grade II-listed building while offering a “modern twist” for families. As a result, his company has been working closely with conservation officers at Carlisle City Council on the proposals.

Original internal features inside which will be retained include some panelling, fireplaces and doors.