A DERELICT former gatehouse at the entrance to Pollok park could be transformed into a plush holiday let at a cost of £250,000.

Shawmuir Lodge was built in 1891 but has lain unused since the 1980s.

The B-listed cottage has featured on the Buildings at Risk register for more than a decade.

It is owned by the city council but on Thursday, councillors will be asked to agree to lease it to Strathclyde Building Preservation Trust.

Over the years the building has suffered from considerable damage, vandalism and theft.

The lodge was set on fire when its last tenant moved out around 30 years ago.

All the lead work was stripped from the roof, slates were removed and as a result the sarking boards deteriorated.

A report to councillors says: "The condition of the building internally is therefore very poor and a complete strip out is required with resulting costs being significant to bring this small building back into productive use.

"It is critical that the rapid deterioration of Shawmuir Lodge is halted.

"The building presents a poor first impression of Pollok Park as approached from the southeast and its dilapidated condition is acting as an invitation for further vandalism."

Council workers have recently carried out minor repairs to the building and keep a watching brief over it.

The report adds: "But breathing new life into it would greatly benefit the approach to one of the city's most important pieces of parkland.

"In addition, it will bring a Listed Building at Risk back into use."

Strathclyde Building Preservation trust, a charitable organisation which specialises in the conservation and conversion of historic buildings, plans to convert the building into a holiday let.