A heritage project has received more than £7 million to help bring a historic abbey site back to life.
The Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn has been awarded £7.137 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support conservation and renewal plans for the former monastery in Bury St Edmunds, once one of England’s most important religious centres.
The Very Reverend Joe Hawes, Dean of St Edmundsbury, said: "We are thrilled to have received this support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
"So much hard work has gone into the project to get to this stage, and thanks to National Lottery players, we can now realise the exciting plans we have for the Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn."
The total cost of the project is estimated at £9.83 million.
Led by St Edmundsbury Cathedral in partnership with West Suffolk Council and English Heritage, the scheme aims to transform the 60-acre site into a "coherent, accessible and sustainable ‘place making’ cultural destination."
Plans include conservation of the medieval ruins, a new visitor centre, a 1.4 km accessible circular route, and improved links between the Abbey, the Cathedral, and the town centre.
The scheme also promises to deliver 47 community activities, 200 volunteering opportunities, and 21 training opportunities.
It will also include apprenticeships and new funded staff roles.
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Kate Logan, English Heritage's operations, experience and engagement director, said: "This is quite simply, brilliant news.
"This major project will better knit together the cathedral, the abbey and the town. It will also see the abbey ruins getting the tender loving care they deserve."
Cllr Ian Shipp, cabinet member for leisure and culture at West Suffolk Council, said: "This is great news for everyone who loves this wonderful part of West Suffolk and its place in our history, heritage and culture."
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