Boston Manor House Wins the Lottery

Funds are to develop full restoration plans

Boston Manor House, owned by Hounslow Council, has been successful in gaining initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The house, in Brentford, is a Grade I Listed 17th century manor-house on an estate which dates back to the Middle Ages and which is now a public park.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded a £204,000 development grant to Hounslow Council for the development of plans for a full restoration and increased public access to the house. An application will be made at a later date for a full grant of £3.7m.

Badly damaged during World War II, the house was once used as a school. It underwent extensive restoration work in the 1960s and was re-opened in 1963 by Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother as a visitors centre and museum.

Councillor Ed Mayne, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Leisure, Hounslow Council, said: “We are delighted to be awarded this grant in what is a very competitive field open to heritage schemes across the country.

“This is the first stage in a total scheme worth £5m and we look forward to taking plans back to the Heritage Lottery Fund after this development phase.”

Stuart Hobley, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund London, said: “Boston Manor provides a unique insight into the architectural and social history of the area, but that heritage is at risk and urgent conservation is needed.

“Thanks to the National Lottery, we’re pleased to support this project which will secure the future of the building, create educational opportunities for all ages and open up the Manor and its story for more people to benefit from. We look forward to seeing the plans develop.”

May 23, 2016