Decision details

The Cabinet will be presented with details of a proposed funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for a project in the Abbey and Barking Town Centre Conservation Area to increase awareness of the Borough’s built environment and ensure heritage plays a key part in the town centre’s ongoing regeneration.  The project would include carrying external renovations and enhancements to locally-listed buildings across Station Parade and East Street, creating an attractive, landscaped entrance to the Barking Abbey ruins and St Margaret’s Church and an engaging educational and activity programme. 

The Cabinet will be asked to approve the proposed scheme and the allocation of Council match funding to the project which would unlock up to £1.4m of external funding.

The Cabinet resolved to:

(i)  Support a second-round funding application to the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Townscape Heritage programme in the sum of £1.151m for a heritage building improvement scheme and educational project in the Abbey and Barking Town Centre Conservation Area on the terms set out in the report; and

(ii)  Agree that the Council contributes up to £407,500 of match funding towards the total project cost of £1.712m.