An ambitious plan to return the grounds of Cliffe Castle into the grand Victorian park it used to be have been revealed by Bradford Council.

The authority hopes that over £3 million of lottery funding will help fund a re-design of the gardens, which will attract more visitors to the mansion and its park.

Plans for the Council-run site include a new cafe, glass houses, a replica cast iron Palm House, vinery, rebuilt animal house and aviary, as well as a re-designed garden and stage area.

The revamped park will also include new children’s play facilities, grass maze, and a Dig for Victory wartime themed garden that will be used by visiting school groups. Fountains and a pool on the grounds will be restored to full working order, ornamental furniture and lighting restored and an extra nine spaces created in the car park.

The council is currently waiting to hear if the park will be awarded a Heritage Lottery grant of £3.3 million to carry out the works.

Originally the home of Victorian millionaire and textile manufacturer, Henry Isaac Butterfield, the grounds were donated to the people of Keighley in the late 1940s, with the mansion becoming a museum. As well as being a public park, the grounds host numerous events, such as this summer’s Aire Do festival.

Cliffe Castle Museum is currently undergoing a separate £370,000 refurbishment, and will re-open in late July.

Sue Skinner, of the Cliffe Castle Park Conservation Group, said the Council had drawn up the plans with help from her group and a public consultation.

She added: “We got a lot of views from people who remember what the park was like when they were younger. It is a superb park, but it has gone downhill a bit and various areas need a bit better upkeep – like the cafe. It needs something to make it a bit more modern. But everything will be kept in the style of the park’s Victorian heritage, just with additions like disabled access.”

Coun Andrew Thornton, the Council’s executive member for the environment, said: “What we’re after is for Cliffe Castle to be restored and re-vitalised.

“This is another step on the road towards that, and the result will be fantastic for Keighley and really make Cliffe Castle a jewel in the crown of the district.”

He said the Council was waiting for an announcement on the funding, and submitting the planning application was one of the conditions of a successful bid. People have until 7 May to comment on the plans.