A FIRST step to starting a £2million project to renovate a historic estate is now underway.

The Barlow in Edgworth has lodged a bid for an initial Heritage Lottery grant of more than £10,000 as trustees look to give the building and its surrounding features a new lease of life.

If approved the cash will fund the consultancy and training needed to help the charity be successful when it comes to the main bidding process.

Features of the application include replacing the roof of the main building in Bolton Road, which is in a bad state of repair, and modernising the windows, heating and power distribution.

The project is also set to include work on the surrounding woodland, where paths are waterlogged and much of it is inaccessible to those with disabilities.

Lee Parker, trustee for operations, said this first step is ‘huge progress’.

He said: “This has been a long time coming and that’s because we wanted to devise a project where were could do everything at once.

“I think it’s not only vital for the future of the building and the estate but also it’s very important for the community.

“If we do nothing then it was all fall into disrepair.

“We want something which the next generation can enjoy and something that will last for next 100 years.

“Anyone who feels they have a skill set that may help us in the bidding process should get in touch as we will need the help of the community to make decisions.”

Other aspects of the application include upgrading The Reading Room cafe, making improvements to the playground and felling trees to make garden furniture.

The Barlow was opened in 1909 and consisted of an open-air swimming pool, boating lake, tennis courts, a bowling green and the main building which had a gymnasium, billiard room, coffee room and a library.

It was designed to tend to the wellbeing of society.

Over time many of these facilities deteriorated but the idea of this new project is to reinvigorate the centre into a modern community hub.

Brian Gorski, programme manager, said: “The building has great potential to provide resources that modern society can enjoy.

“Some of the rooms cannot be used at the moment due to the roof being in such a state and we want to bring those back into use.

“Some of them could be great multi-use spaces.”

The project team will know in the next two to four weeks if the bid has been successful.

If it has, a main bid will be prepared.