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Wednesday, October 01, 2008, 09:09
The money will help restore the prized Orangery, in the grounds of Bitton House, to its former glory.
The 1842 structure is a Grade II listed building.
It is one of the few surviving orangeries in the country.
The proposal for extra cash has been welcomed by Teignmouth councillors.
The Orangery was saved from the threat of demolition by the Friends of Teignmouth Orangery, who maintain the plants and exotic blooms.
It is open to visitors several times a week.
Each year a harvest of oranges is picked and made into marmalade, which is sold off to raise funds for the facility.
The last partial refurbishment was undertaken in 1985. However, since then, the building's condition has deteriorated and it has also fallen victim to vandal attacks.
On Monday Teignbridge Council's executive committee will consider a proposal to put aside a budget of £165,000 for restoration work.
In a report to councillors, the authority's leader Cllr Alan Connett revealed £130,000 is needed for renovation work while a further £35,000 is needed to repair the structure of the Orangery.
In 2006 a bid for funding to the Heritage Lottery Fund failed because of funding shortfalls,
During last year the building was targeted by vandals and stole vital leadwork from the parapets and roofs.
Cllr Connett said: "We received a letter from English Heritage in October 2007 regarding the Orangery and asking that measures be taken to halt the deterioration of the fabric.
"We advised English Heritage that we were aware of the maintenance obligations and that we were drawing up a planned maintenance programme."
Throughout 2008 work has been done to repair roof glazing and rusting windows and in June a further schedule of repairs was drawn up for renovation work.
If the proposal is approved the Orangery will be offered to Teignmouth Town Council or another suitable conservation or heritage group.
Teignmouth councillors David Cox and Alex Cross represent the ward which includes the Orangery.
They welcomed the plan saying it would add to the overall regeneration of the town and could boost visitor numbers.
Cllr Cox said: "This is great news for the Orangery. It is a shame grants have not been forthcoming from the Heritage Lottery Fund, but Teignbridge has grasped the nettle and will renovate this historic building.
"The Orangery is one of our most important buildings with links to the famous Admiral Pellew who brought back plants from his adventures overseas to be cared for within the Orangery building."
Cllr Cross added: "I very pleased, along with David Cox, I've been working on finding funding for the Orangery, so I'm really pleased Teignbridge will be restoring the Orangery to it's former glory."
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