Plans to create a new multi-storey car park in the heart of Carlisle have taken a significant step forward.

But one of Cumbria's leading politicians says the move, welcomed by business chiefs, still depends on whether the cash needed is made available.

Cumbria County Council wants to create the new car park at the back of the historical landmark site, The Courts.

It submitted an application to demolish the Lonsdale building and Lower Gaol Yard building, which sit near one of the distinctive Citadel buildings.

The plans have now been given the go-ahead by the authority's development control committee.

But the development of a new car park will still depend on funds coming in.

Stewart Young, the leader of Cumbria County Council, revealed the latest development.

He said: "We still want to build a car park.

"But it depends on whether or not we'll get funding from the Local Enterprise Partnership, because that's how it'll be funded.

"We've got planning permission, so when that money comes in then we'll be able to press ahead with it."

The Local Enterprise Partnership - known as an LEP - is a public-private partnership which works to develop Cumbria's economy.

It has 12 board members, six each from the public and private sectors.

The creation of a new car park has already been backed by business bosses, who believe that it will help to alleviate existing problems in the city.

Viv Dodd, secretary of the Carlisle City Centre Business Group, said that a car park behind the former council buildings would mean traffic will not have to pass through the city centre.

Mr Young added: "We've got planning permission to demolish the two buildings but that won't happen unless we get the funding through."

He said the LEP had applied for a large chunk of cash from government funding - but was given a fraction of what it asked for.

Mr Young said he did not known when a decision would be made.

He said: "We'd hoped to have had the money by now, but that's not the case.

"The LEP have to make a decision and we'll just have to wait and see."

Both buildings have been left vacant after Cumbria County Council relocated to the new, purpose-built Cumbria House, on Botchergate.

There are no plans to demolish any other buildings.

A report by Dominic Donnini, corporate director for economy and highways at the county council, said: "The Citadel building will be safeguarded for future generations, with options being explored to ensure an appropriate and viable use to enhance its future sustainability."

Another building - the Kraemer Building - is considered to be in good condition "with a range of alternative uses and is to be retained".

He added: "Proposals for the future use of the Courts site are still at a conceptual stage and require further information about the site constraints, which can only be fully obtained once the Lower Gaol Yard Buildings and Lonsdale Building are demolished."