A BID for Lottery funding to restore Salford's Buile Hill Park has failed.

The decision will put in jeopardy plans to turn a Georgian mansion in the grounds into a country hotel.

Glory
Council bosses submitted a bid for about £4m to the Heritage Lottery Fund to help finance the first phase of a scheme to return the park to its Victorian-style glory.

The bid was closely linked to £9m plans by Salford City Reds chairman, John Wilkinson, to convert the Grade II listed building into a four-star retreat.

Opposition
Permission was given by the council for the mansion plan, despite strong local opposition from residents.

It is understood the HLF considered feedback from the local community when they made their decision.

One campaigner, Ann Bannister wrote to Gordon Brown asking him to save the building from developers and Liberal Democrat councillor Mary Ferrer organised petitions.

Lake
The £5m redevelopment of the park would have included planting and reinstating the lake and Victorian greenhouse and creating a performance area and bandstand.

The mansion is still in council ownership, but Mr Wilkinson is in the process of buying it for £675,000. It has been boarded up for nine years after closing as the Lancashire Mining Museum.

The mansion was built in 1825 for Thomas Potter, one of the founders of the Manchester Guardian. The park was opened in 1903 after the council borrowed £27,100 to buy the mansion and grounds and turn it into a public park. During its heyday, the park could attract 30,000 people to a flower show.

Proms
Now it stages Bonfire Night displays and for the second year running will host a Proms in the Park spectacular in September.

Coun Ferrer said: "I am led to believe that the HLF noted that a hotel was not what local people want in a municipal park.

"It is a shame the Lottery bid failed, but the council should have listened to local views."

Coun Joe Murphy said: "It is very disappointing, but we remain committed to the redevelopment of Buile Hill Park.

"This doesn't mean we can't put in another bid to the HLF and we will be to work with them to see what to do."