PLANS to restore a nationally important and historic landscape have taken an important step forward with a major funding boost.
Durham County Council has received £335,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) towards its efforts to restore Hardwick Park, near Sedgefield, County Durham, to its 18th Century splendour.
It is the only project in the region to receive funding.
The cash is the key to releasing a further £4m from the HLF, which will enable the council to carry out the first phase of the restoration.
It brings the total received so far from the HLF to £750,000 and the overall figure for phase one of the restoration is due to reach almost £5m.
Hardwick Park has a Grade II* English Heritage listing and, at the time of its creation in the 1750s by nationally-acclaimed architect James Paine, was at the forefront of a new and revolutionary design.
The council plans to carry out almost £5m worth of work in the first phase between 2003 and 2006. This includes restoring a 17-acre main lake, which disappeared about 150 years ago, the Temple of Minerva and the park's Gothic seat.
There are also plans to restore the tower of a Gothic ruin, to open up views across the park, and to reinstate a circuit walk and grand terrace
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