Senior members of Leeds City Council have approved a proposal to submit a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The £1.65m would include a lottery grant and match funding from Wade's Charity and would be used to preserve historic features in the park, improve visitor facilities, develop historical trails including work to celebrate the mining history of the area, and provide better park security and play facilities.

Middleton Park is operated and managed by Leeds City Council under a 999-year lease from Wade's Charity, which aims to provide open spaces in Leeds.

Coun John Procter, executive board member for culture and recreation, said: "Middleton Park already receives two million visits each year, particularly from the nearby communities in south Leeds.

"However, it has not yet benefited from the sizeable capital investment that we have been able to secure for other parks such as Roundhay and Kirkstall, and as a result is the only large park in Leeds that has yet to achieve Green Flag status.

"Middleton Park has a splendid historic heritage and is the largest remaining ancient woodland in West Yorkshire.

"The extensive early mining remains are a scheduled ancient monument.

"I firmly believe this funding bid will help us restore the park to the position of pride it so richly deserves."

Hon Alderman Martin Dodgson, chairman of Wade's Charity, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with the council on this exciting proposal.

"Middleton Park needs to be restored to its rightful place as the jewel in the crown of south Leeds."

The stage one funding bid will be submitted to the HLF before Monday, March 31 and a decision on the application is expected by September.

Coun Geoff Driver (Lab, Middleton Park) said: "Over many years Middleton Park has gradually become a poor relation of the other major Victorian and Edwardian city parks in Leeds such as Roundhay and Golden Acre.
"This has meant that it has not always received the support it needed in order for it to remain in anything like its original state.
"The council's support for the lottery bid and the generous involvement of Wade's Charity is just what is needed to reverse that trend"