HERITAGE bosses have approved the £8million plans to restore a Northwich landmark.

English Heritage has given its consent to the long-anticipated project at the Lion Salt Works, in Marston.

The 19th century industrial site is classed as a scheduled ancient monument, which gives it the highest level of heritage protection but means that Government consent must be given before any work can be carried out.

Clr Stuart Parker, Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) executive member for culture and recreation, said: “Our priority is to deliver a sympathetic restoration that respects the integrity of this nationally important site.

“Securing Scheduled Monument Consent required an enormous amount of work and we are naturally delighted with the outcome.

“It is a major step forward in our nationally groundbreaking plans to bring this unique piece of history back to life.”

CWAC is behind the plans to transform the derelict site into a visitor attraction and preliminary work is currently being carried out by the council’s restoration partners Wates Construction and William Anelay.

The Lion Salt Works also has a designated project archaeologist, Chris Hewitson, who has launched a blog to document its restoration.

“For safety reasons, the site is closed to the public during the restoration so the blog is a great way for people to follow what is going on,” Chris said.

The Lion Salt Works is expected to reopen as a living museum in 2014.

Visitors will be able to explore the restored buildings, discover how the salt works operated and find out how the industry impacted on the county’s people, economy and landscape.

Chris’s blog is available at thelionsaltworks.blogspot.co.uk.