Cardiff's Insole Court restoration plans get lotto cash
A Victorian gothic mansion in Cardiff is on the way to being restored to its former glory.
Insole Court in Llandaff has been given £165,900 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to prepare restoration plans.
If the plans are approved, the HLF will award a further £1.9m to carry out the changes.
The chairman of the trust, Sir Norman Lloyd-Edwards, said it was "splendid news" which allowed architects to be instructed on the plans.
The proposals will be submitted by the end of January, with the total cost approaching £4m.
Sir Norman said there would be much consultation with interested groups, such as local residents and Cadw, the Welsh historical monuments body.
If approved, the restoration could be given the go-ahead by the end of 2012.
It is hoped the work will be completed by 2014. It will include office accommodation, workshops for small businesses, a cafe, centre for older people and a nursery.
Insole Court was built in 1856 by James Harvey Insole, who owned Cymmer Colliery in Rhondda.
It was sold under a compulsory purchase order by Cardiff council in 1938 to enable the construction of Western Avenue.
Earlier this year, the management of the building and grounds was transferred to the trust.
Insole Court is now a centre for community activities, run by Cardiff council.