Havering Council has secured £48,431 from Historic England to assess the state of buildings at Bretons Outdoor Centre.
The grant will be matched by the council’s capital works programme.
This will allow an appraisal and condition survey to be carried out on the site, which includes a Grade II* listed 17th-century manor house, stables, barns, and a walled garden.
Some of these buildings and areas have fallen out of use and are “inaccessible”, the council said.
The 17th-century house is used as a community hall and nursery and a Grade II listed 16th-century barn hosts table tennis and archery.
The funding will be used to understand the state of the buildings and explore how they can be creatively and sustainably reused, according to a council spokesperson.
Councillor Gillian Ford, deputy leader of Havering Council and cabinet member for adults and wellbeing, said: “This funding is a fantastic opportunity to protect and celebrate the rich heritage at Bretons.
“By working with the community and Historic England, we’re building a strong foundation for regeneration of the site that will benefit generations to come.
“I would like to thank Historic England for supporting this significant and exciting venture.”
The project will also include consultation with stakeholders, an evaluation of future development options, and a strategy for the site’s longer-term management, funding, and maintenance.
The council said this will lay the groundwork for a heritage-led regeneration plan.
Hannah Parham, head of partnerships at Historic England, said: “Bretons is a fascinating collection of buildings that has lots of untapped potential.
“We’re excited to be working closely with Havering Council on this initial phase of work, paving the way for further investment and renewal of this much-loved historic place to maximise its use for the benefit of the community.”
The condition survey will also help identify urgent repairs needed and allow the council to take action to protect the most vulnerable parts of the site.
