The restoration of Heaton Hall could soon be a step nearer if a Manchester City Council bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) is successful.

Restoration of the Hall will be the final part of a three-phase programme of improvements at Heaton Park in North Manchester, which has already seen the renovation of four of the park's other historic listed buildings including the Dower House and Temple.

Manchester City Council has submitted the application for support for the £9.4m project to the HLF, having funded the previous phases of work in partnership with them.

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Phases one and two of the work, which began in 2000 and were completed in 2005, included the rebuilding of the four-mile long park wall, the creation of new play areas, cafes and car parks, the introduction of a brand new, purpose built Animal Centre and the re-creation of the historic landscape around Heaton Hall.

The third phase of restoration will focus on the Grade I listed Heaton Hall. Designed by James Wyatt for the 1st Earl of Wilton in 1772, the Hall was described by the architect Pevsner as "one of the finest neo-classical 18th century buildings in the north of England, if not the whole country".

If the bid for funding is successful the investment will go towards returning the building to its former glory and the introduction of a series of activities and educational programmes to bring the house into the heart of the community.

The bid submitted in December is a round one bid, and a decision from the HLF is expected in May. If successful the project will then be further developed into a second round bid, which will be submitted later on in the year.

(CD/JM)