Plans to conserve and enhance Ellington Park have moved one step closer to success following the approval for a cafe and events hub.

Thanet District and the Friends of Ellington Park, with the support of Heritage Lottery Fund, are working to improve the Ramsgate park, by restoring its original layout and improving its facilities.

The projects seeks to build community involvement and engagement, as well as promote civic pride.

This year, more than 6,500 people were consulted about the developments to the park, with 85% wanting a cafe and toilet facilities.

Historically, Ellington Park contained public toilets and a range of outbuildings for community use, such a summerhouses and shelters.

The loss of these building has had a significant impact on the area.

Due to the lack of toilets, visits are often short and there are few places locally which offer food and refreshment for park users.

The proposed building will include toilets and a cafe, which will also be used as an education space in the day time and community events space in the evenings.

The building will be located on the terrace, overlooking the park in the same location as the original rustic bandstand.

Cllr Rosanna Taylor-Smith, cabinet member for operational services at TDC, said: "This is excellent news for Ellington Park - the approved plans demonstrate a real vision for the park that reflects its importance to the local community.

"The proposals are a great response to the community consultation and show that the local residents and park users have been listened to.

"We will continue to support the hard work of the Friends of Ellington Park who are the driving force behind the bid to restore and improve this historic open space."

Situated on the terrace of the park the 100sq metre cafe building will have 36 seats inside and 24 seats on the external terrace and three unisex toilets, with accessible WC and baby change.

The cafe can be converted to a community hub and education space, with a sink and storage, for art and wildlife workshops for schools and families, as well as talks and events for the wider community.

Beverley Perkins, chair of the Friends of Ellington Park, said: "The Friends are so pleased that the project is progressing so well and we are looking forward to having a community space in the park.

"The cafe will give a plethora of opportunities for volunteers to learn new skills, and be involved in the workshops and events.

"We anticipate that it will prove to be an integral part of our local community."

The successful planning application and community support for the building means the project can move forward to the next step of applying for the £1.8million fund from HLF.

A decision should be known by January 2019, with the project taking another two years to procure, build and complete the cafe alongside the other works in the park.

Once built and open, the cafe will be run and managed as an environmentally friendly, healthy cafe, run as a not-for-profit community enterprise by the Friends of Ellington Park.