ROWNTREE Park's reading café and library's future use is due to be decided next Thursday by City of York councillors.

The city's executive is due to make a decision about the future use and investment in Rowntree Park Lodge and to ensure that it is used for public benefit and makes income for the popular park, which has a Green Flag.

The lodge is the heart of Rowntree Park and is also used by York Explore as a reading café.

A report recommends that the council spends £150,000 to regenerate the upstairs of the lodge and rent it out as a holiday let.

It is thought £1,000 to £1,300 per week could be achieved through letting.

This capital allocation will be funded from the revenue receipts generated from future use. It is also recommended that any net revenue is ring fenced for the upkeep of the park. Yearly income would be dependant on occupancy rates.

Other ideas explored included, selling the leasehold, leasing the property for private residential accommodation, leasing the property for social residential accommodation, commercial use or expanding the library and cafe. These options were found to not be appropriate after further investigation.

The future uses of the lodge have been discussed with the Friends of Rowntree Park, who believe that the future use of the lodge should benefit the park and that it should not be sold.

Discussions have also taken place with the Explore Library which supports the holiday let plan for the lodge, recognising that the flat does not meet the current standards for access for a library due to the age of the building and modest room sizes.

It is considered that investment into the property will contribute significantly to maintaining the parks reputation amongst residents and visitors.

Executive will take place on Thursday, January 25 at West Offices from 5.30pm and is open to members of the public or is available to watch live online from: www.york.gov.uk/webcasts