Plans to restore and convert 16th-century manor

Winstanley Hall has been sitting empty since the 1980s

A 16th-century former family manor, which has been unoccupied for 25 years, could be restored and converted into homes, a developer has said.

Kingswood Homes has announced it wants to restore the Grade II listed Winstanley Hall in Wigan.

The building, which dates back to the 1560s, was originally built for the Winstanley Family and has undergone a number of expansions and renovations.

Managing director of Kingswood Homes said: "Winstanley Hall represents an important piece of Wigan's heritage, and we're committed to securing its future."

He added: "Our restoration plans will respect the building's historical significance while adapting it sensitively for modern use."

A preservation group says it is "cautiously optimistic" about the development plans

The developer said, as well as converting the house and its outbuildings, it would also build a number of new homes off the nearby Pemberton Road.

The homes would "complement the hall's restoration" and "enable its sensitive repair", while helping Wigan Council meet its increased housing requirements, Kingswood added.

A public consultation will be held on the project later this month.

Wigan Council said it was yet to receive a formal planning application from Kingswood.

The Wigan Building Preservation Trust, which has been fighting for years to save the building, said it was "cautiously optimistic" about the plans.

"Previous attempts [to restore the building] have been centred around enabling development which wasn't approved," a spokesperson added.