The council asked for offers of around £150,000 for the Pinchbeck Road building, which has been empty since the end of 2006 when the assistant grounds maintenance manager left his post.

Only a small part of the lodge was being used, providing facilities for care of the cemetery.

The council will have to pay around £5,000 to relocate the cemetery files and bathroom facilities to the chapel buildings.

There has been considerable interest in the lodge, with 16 viewings and several offers ranging from £135,000 to £160,000.

Coun Paul Przyszlak, portfolio holder for corporate services, made a key decision that £157,000, the second highest offer, should be accepted.

This decision is due to come into force today as long as an objection has not been received from another councillor.

It was decided to accept the second highest offer as it is a cash sale and the highest offer received – £160,000 – was dependent on the sale of the potential buyer's current home.

The council cabinet rejected several other options considered for the lodge, including renting it as a private home, offices or a council house.

Restrictive covenants have been placed on the building to make sure any future use is appropriate.

Examples of these include a ban on using the premises for anything other than a single dwelling, not constructing any building or hardstanding without prior consent, not hanging out washing where it is visible from the cemetery, and not doing anything that could be a danger or annoyance to the council or staff who look after the cemetery.