Our Project Group update to the Parish Council AGM (2025) reported we had submitted an expression of interest to the National Lottery Heritage Fund. We were subsequently very excited to receive a most encouraging invitation to make a formal application to The Heritage Fund for grant support.

This was submitted on 27th May after several months of very intense work. If it is  approved it would be a lifeline for the conservation of our ancient heritage buildings and for our village centre project.

The Heritage Fund has clear processes to be followed, with all their funded projects being focussed on conserving heritage and making it accessible for everyone to appreciate and enjoy.  Applications for major programmes are in two key parts:

  • Development Phase
    • Part 1 – a comprehensive development proposal
    • Part 2 – if approved, the application process moves to detailing the technical specifications & costings of the above development proposal, including schedules for planning, tendering, and the activities plan.
  •  Delivery Phase – if our Part 2  submission is successful, and the main grant is awarded, it will allow… 
    • Commencement of capital conservation work to the heritage buildings
    • Continued programme of engaging heritage community activities

We have now submitted our development phase (part 1) application, and if it is successful, we will be provided with funds to facilitate preparation of part 2. This will be a very substantial body of work, and as mentioned at the AGM we will be looking for more volunteers to assist with the community heritage activity programme. It will certainly be something for the village to look forwards to. Part 2 funds will include provisions to meet the costs of professional advisors to work on developing the project plans in line with the requirements of The Heritage Fund.  

Ultimately, a Delivery Phase grant will be key for the funds required to carry out the much needed capital works to repair, conserve and the reorder our ancient church buildings, which in turn will give them new life and an enduring purpose in our community, as Cossington Village Centre.

We will know the outcome of our Part 1 bid in September.