Blaenavon Heritage Town Secures National Lottery Support

Torfaen council has received initial National Lottery funding support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a project to improve the condition of properties in Blaenavon. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Blaenavon Townscape Heritage Programme aims to tackle the poor condition of key properties within the town’s main commercial area in Broad Street by offering grant support for conservation based works. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It will also support opportunities for the community to find out more about their townscape heritage and give local people the chance to learn new skills. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Development funding of £35,500 has been awarded by HLF to help the council progress their plans and apply for a full grant at a later date. Torfaen council and Blaenavon Town Council will also be supporting the development of the project. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

As well as supporting property improvements, the local community will have the chance to get involved in a variety of exciting local volunteer opportunities and community events that explore the rich social history associated with the development of the town. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Blaenavon Industrial Landscape was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 2000. Since this time, the regeneration of the town has formed a key part of a wider strategy to achieve the economic revival of the wider area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Torfaen’s executive member for regeneration, Lewis Jones, said: “We’re delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support. The funding allows us to focus on moving further forward in achieving our strategic vision of Blaenavon becoming a cultural tourism destination.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Explaining the importance of the HLF’s support, Cath Thomas, head of economy enterprise and environment, said: “National Lottery support to local businesses and residents will assist them in creating a more attractive, vibrant and viable town, encouraging new business development and employment, as well as encouraging local people and visitors to learn about, use and support the town.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Mayor of Blaenavon, Alan Jones, said: “Further investment in the town is essential if it is to realise its true potential. This National Lottery funding offers traders and residents a fantastic opportunity to boost footfall and trade and helps us move forward in securing a bright future for our heritage town.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, said: “We’ve been investing money raised through the National Lottery in the UK’s historic conservation areas for more than 20 years and we’ve seen first-hand the incredible difference it has made to local communities. This project in particular has the potential to have a powerful effect not only on local pride but also on local economic prosperity in Blaenavon.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​