Date set for historic house work

The present grade II house at Tredegar was built in 1818

A £5.5m project to restore a historic house and park in Blaenau Gwent is to get underway in spring 2009.

The scheme to renovate the grade II listed Bedwellty House at Tredegar is expected to take nearly two years to complete.

Revealing details of the scheme, Blaenau Gwent council said the development was about turning the area into a major tourist attraction.

The project has won funding from the lottery and assembly government.

"Local people and visitors will feel they are stepping back in time," said Cllr Jason Owen, the council's executive member for leisure.

"Both house and park have a fascinating story to tell - and both will be welcoming visitors with 21st Century facilities.

"The project is a major achievement and a great example of how the council is working with local people."

The renovation project is now expected to get underway in March, and will be split into two phases.

The first part of the scheme will be to work on restoring the historic elements of the park and the house, while the second phase concentrates on improving leisure facilities.

The present house was built in 1818 for the coal and iron industrialist, Samuel Homfray.

The £5.5m price tag for the restoration is being met by a £3.6m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and money from the assembly government's Heads of the Valley's initiative.