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A regeneration strategy for Heaton Park was prepared and approved by the council in 1996 including landscaping, sports facilities, play areas, visitor attractions and refurbishing Heaton Hall.

The total strategy was estimated to cost ?32.2m and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) agreed to a phased programme starting with an award of ?4.2m of which the council expected to pay ?600,000.

Manchester City Council also agreed to invest ?1m in new bowling facilities and work is scheduled for completion in time for test matches to be played on the greens in 2001.

Phase I is almost complete with the CCTV services and the Temple restoration being the final projects to be completed and urgent restoration work on the hall has started.

Now consultation on plans to remove the Pet's Corner - which experts see as a blight on the landscape and setting of the historic buildings - has revealed strong opposition unless it is replaced elsewhere.

The HLF has agreed to help create a new Pet's Corner connecting to the rear of the stable block costing an extra ?255,700 but the council must find another ?64,000 towards the cost.

Also a traffic survey has found the proposed new central car park will not be large enough and not meet the needs of people wishing to access the park from the Manchester side.

Currently the only access from the Manchester side is through Smithy Lodge but the planned central car park is reached via the St Margaret's entrance which is on the Bury side of the park.

An additional car park off Sheepfoot Lane would provide a second entrance to the park on the Manchester side costing an extra ?220,000 of which Manchester City Council must pay ?55,000.

Council officers have warned that there is no guaranteed that the HLF will be prepared top cover the extra costs which could mean the full burden of the Pet's Corner and parking falling on Manchester City Council.