Work begins on £15m estate revamp

The estate covers about 600 acres

Work is starting on a £15m project to restore the Wentworth Castle estate in South Yorkshire.

Scaffolding is being erected around the Victorian conservatory at the estate, near Barnsley, described as one of the region's most endangered buildings.

Wentworth Castle Trust wants to restore the estate's 26 listed buildings, gardens and 600 acres of parkland.

"The revival of the estate will be a work of regional significance and local pride," said director Richard Evans.

The conservatory sits within the only Grade I-listed designed landscape in South Yorkshire, surrounded by gardens containing the National Collections of magnolias, rhododendrons and camellias.

Mr Evans said work would start on the landscape and visitor facilities before the full restoration of the conservatory.

The first phase of the project will cost £15m, of which £13m has already been raised, and is expected to be completed in 2008.