Plans for a new riverside pub in Workington are set to get the green light.

Marston's wants to build a family pub with a 150-seater restaurant beside the River Derwent, next to Tesco.

The company said the development, off New Bridge Road, was expected to create 40 to 45 jobs, equivalent to 25 full-time roles.

Allerdale council planners have now recommended approval of the plans.

They said the venue would bring a different, more family-orientated pub experience to the town which was unlikely to compete with other businesses.

No more suitable site could be identified for the proposal, they added.

The 568sq m building would be built on almost an acre of greenfield land.

Manager’s accommodation is included in the plan.

There is also proposed outdoor seating for up to 50 people, 53 parking spaces and a cycle rack.

The site would be accessed via New Bridge Road, where a new junction would be created.

Planning consultants for the firm had been actively seeking a site in Workington for some time.

The existing Cumbrian Coastal Path route, which follows the perimeter of the site, would be retained.

In its planning documents, the firm said: “The proposal is to serve the residential and commercial communities in and around Workington by providing a quality building for use as a public house intended to enhance the community facility provision of the area.

“The provision of a public house will improve the sustainability of the site and the wider community, its businesses and housing, as it is within walking distance of many other commercial facilities, housing and established transport links with other towns, villages and cities of the wider county.”

It added that the company was committed to reducing energy consumption across its business.

Measures such as solar power, rainwater harvesting and air source heating were being considered for the project, it said.

The vacant land was previously owned by Allerdale council and has been transferred to the Allerdale Investment Partnership, a joint venture between Allerdale council and Lucent Allerdale Partnership SARL.

Marston's submitted a planning application for the project in May.

The council's development panel will consider the plans at a meeting at Allerdale House, Workington, next Tuesday, August 22, at 1pm.