GRADE I listed Bowhill House in Dunsford Road could soon be boasting a cafe.
The house dates from 1500 and was purchased by the Department of the Environment in 1976 at which point English Heritage began a 20 year restoration programme.
It is currently used as offices by a number of companies and now the city's planning department is being asked to grant a change of use for the house's Great Hall, store, parlour and buttery to a cafe.
The existing rooms on the first floor will be retained as offices.
When English Heritage originally took over Bowhill House the intention was that it would become a museum so that the public could learn from and enjoy the building but for financial reasons this never became a viable option.
If the Great Hall was to be turned into a cafe now it is hoped that it would encourage the public to visit the building.
Testing the waters, a cafe event was organised and people from all over the city attended, leading English Heritage to conclude that a permanent cafe would prove successful.
The planning application also includes details of a new kitchen, toilets and meeting rooms.
