‘Secret Garden’ mansion set to become hotel

THE historic building in a Salford park which was the inspiration for the classic children’s novel The Secret Garden looks set to become a boutique hotel.

Salford councillors and officers have met behind closed doors to discuss the future of Grade II-listed Buile Hill mansion, which has been derelict for 15 years, and an offer from a so far undisclosed hotel group.

The Georgian mansion is where Frances Hodgson Burnett part wrote her book, published in 1910.

A spokesman for Salford City Council said: “We remain committed to finding a sustainable, long-term future for Buile Hill mansion and hotel use is the most promising option, from the interest shown in the property.

“Details are still on the website of Urban Vison (the Council’s deveopment partner) and we very much hope a sensitive development can be agreed in the not too distant future.”

The spokesman said the building had not yet been sold.

Buile Hill was built in 1827 and was the home of Sir Thomas Potter, the first Lord Mayor of Manchester and co-founder of the Manchester Guardian, the forerunner of The Guardian.

It was closed in 2000 as the home for Lancashire Mining Museum and has been boarded up ever since.