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The Orangerie at Heaton park

Manchester City Council wants to install new boilers, flues and ducts to serve the Orangerie function room at the Grade I listed Heaton Hall in Heaton Park.

The work, required under health and safety laws, will involve installing a fresh-air duct and louvre grilles in windows on the front of the buildings and reinstating a window currently boarded up above the Orangerie door.

An investigation of the current boiler found the system was located in a poorly ventilated area and raised concerns about dangerous waste gases escaping into public areas.

Heritage conservationists from the Georgian Group say the plan causes 'considerable concern' and should be rejected as they will be 'visually disruptive' in such an important building.

The group is worried about the potentially acidic effect of exhaust fumes from the flue on the stonework of the parapet and adjoining mansion and calls for the proposed boiler to be relocated and the existing baroque chimneys used for escaping fumes.

The city council's own planning policy states that any scheme must preserve and enhance the architectural integrity and educational and cultural value of Heaton Hall and its associated features.

But the council must also secure the continued use of the listed building and the Secretary of State must now be called in to settle the dispute.

In a report to the city's development committee, planning officer Chris McGough explained alternative option had been considered but were not practical.

He explained: "Using the existing chimneys presents such a complex route that it would inevitably require more substantial works that would have a greater impact on the listed fabric of the building.

"The proposed work will not detract from the visual quality of this part of the building and its impact on the listed structure will be negligible."