A long-running saga focusing on attempts to bring a former hotel building back to life could finally be over.

Plans to convert the boarded-up building that housed the Tarn End Hotel, on the shores of Talkin Tarn, near Brampton, into homes are recommended for approval by Carlisle City Council's planning committee.

It could mark the end of a battle dating back about a decade when current owners Citadel Estates bought the site from Cumbria County Council for £450,000.

The Carlisle-based firm has had a number of attempts to redevelop the dilapidated building rebuffed by city council planners - and had an appeal rejected by the Secretary of State.

The latest plans would see the former hotel building become four homes, with on site barns and a single-storey link being converted into another eight residential units.

Last year the city council refused an application for 22 apartments on the site.

It said it had not been demonstrated that this type of development was a last resort for the building, recognised as an official heritage asset.

Planners said the benefits of the proposal - securing future conservation for part of the building - were outweighed by the "disbenefits".

Earlier this year Citadel's appeal against refusal for planning permission was dismissed by the Secretary of State.

In 2009 a proposal for 15 homes on the site was also refused.

But the company has come back with fresh proposals which now seem to have won over city council planners.

In a report prepared by planning officer, Christopher Hardman, for next week's development control meeting, he wrote: "The current proposal reduces the extent of new build and retains a greater proportion of the existing hotel and barns.

"It is considered that the proposal seeks to respect the heritage values of the non-designated heritage asset and accords with the environment role of sustainable development."

Three objections and one further comment were submitted to the council about this application.

Objections focused on parking and the access road, the site being a habitat for bats and the proposal "not being suitable for this prestigious site".

Citadel says it wants to preserve what it is recognised as a valued landmark feature of a cherished local scene.

Nick Elgey, Citadel Estate's commercial director, said: "We are pleased that the professional planning officers are supporting our application as we have worked very hard to produce a scheme which addresses all of the issues.

"We hope that the committee will vote for approval next week."

David Moorat, chairman of Brampton Parish Council, said: "The parish council and a good number of people will be disappointed.

"People in Brampton want this place to be a hotel. It's an excellent site for a hotel and would be an excellent eating out place.

"Residential accommodation is not appropriate, it's a public park, there's a footpath which goes across it and there will be parking problems."