The sad and shabby appearance of Haverfordwest's historic Foley House, designed by Nash and visited by Nelson, may soon be transformed if current restoration plans come to fruition.

Pembrokeshire County Council's Haverfordwest Townscape Heritage Initiative Officer, Richard Incledon, has written to various bodies and organisations including the Town Council and Civic Society seeking letters of support for his Heritage Lottery application to fund a £700,000 restoration project.

"It is intended that the building's new use will be as a register office, with public function rooms for such occasions as citizenship ceremonies, community meetings, naming ceremonies and so on.

"It will also be a place to hang some of the council's large artworks, currently held out of public view, in storage," said Mr Incledon.

The project would include the remodelling and restoration of the grand interior of the house, designed by John Nash in 1793 for solicitor Richard Foley, of Ridgeway, Llawhaden, brother of Admiral Sir Thomas Foley, who served with Nelson.

Naval historian Ted Goddard said Lord Nelson and the Hamiltons visited Foley House in 1802 during the Trafalgar hero's tour of Pembrokeshire, and he and Admiral Foley, then a Captain, were granted the Freedom of Haverfordwest at Foley House. They received the acclamation of the townsfolk from the balcony or verandah of the house.

During the restoration it is intended to replace the spar dash, added in the 1960s, with rendering and the concrete tiled roof with slates. Replica statues might also be placed in the front niches. If the HLF application goes through without a hitch, work could start towards the end of the year and be completed by next summer, said Mr Incledon.