EFFORTS to save a decaying listed building in West Timperley have received a major boost.

There has been uncertainty over the future of Watling Gate for a number of years - and the condition of the 112-year-old building in Newton Park has continued to deteriorate.

But now the Watling Gate Restoration Group has received a £10,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to push ahead with its plans to restore the Grade II listed building to its former glory.

This will allow them to carry out a project to provide a condition report, a feasibility study and an options appraisal, as well as an estimate of the cost of restoring the house.

The group will be able to use this specialist report to support further bids for restoration funding, and other fund raising activities.

Six years ago, a report by Heritage Trust for the North West (HTNW) concluded that the cost of repairing the council-owned building would top £1m.

The building has remained unoccupied and been the target of vandals since a nursery attached to Park Road Primary School closed in 2003.

The Watling Gate Restoration Group was set up three years ago in a bid to find ways to renovate the dilapidated building.

Clive Robinson, the chairman of Watling Gate Restoration Group, said: "We aim to recruit members of the community and those with specialist skills to form a charity trustee board to ensure Watling Gate will be better managed throughout the restoration process and sustainably managed into the future.

"We hope there will be opportunities for young people to develop heritage skills throughout the project and possibly heritage apprenticeships will be developed with local colleges and universities to ensure ongoing skills for the future."

Lt. Col. C. E. Newton, a prominent civil engineer, bequeathed his home, Watling Gate, and the surrounding parkland to the then Altrincham Council for community use in line with his interests in art and education.

Mr Robinson added: “We are thrilled to have received the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and our thanks go to the National Lottery players.

"We are confident this project will help in our quest to bring Watling Gate back to its former arts and crafts glory for future generations to enjoy.”