Date: 26/07/2006
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has today announced that they will be awarding the Buxton Crescent and Thermal Spa Project £12.5 million.
The project is led by High Peak Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council who, in 2003, appointed Project Developers, Trevor Osborne Property Group Limited and CP Holdings Ltd to carry out the work.
Both Councils believe this is the most significant step to date towards delivering the project. However, there are contractual and technical hurdles to be overcome before a start on site in 2007.
The total cost to develop the project is £32.4 million. The award of this HLF funding represents a significant and important contribution to the funding programme.
The Buxton Crescent and Thermal Spa Project will provide:
Councillor David Lomax, Leader of High Peak Borough Council said: "Over the past few years there have been increased demands on lottery money funding so we are delighted and very proud of the fact that we have successfully secured this grant.
He went on to say: "This project represents a major part of the heritage led regeneration in Buxton which, including the Crescent, has now successfully secured over £50 million investment in the town. The next milestone will be in August when we will hear from the East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA) and Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP) who will make a decision on our funding bids to them for additional resources. If successful the developers hope to start on an enabling contract early in 2007, which will open up the building to assess the condition and prepare the Crescent for the main building work."
Councillor Geoff Carlile, Chair of the Councils' Joint Crescent Committee said: "This grant is very welcome news and a huge step forward for the Buxton Crescent project.
"The fact that this latest bid has been successful and the money for the entire scheme is now coming together is an excellent example of organisations working in partnership and getting things done.
"So much hard work has gone in to ensuring this project progresses and the Heritage Lottery Fund's announcement is a big vote of confidence towards the scheme.
"When the final funding is confirmed, together with formalised and agreed contractual documents, we hope by the end of next month, work can get underway and the years of planning will start to bear fruit.
"Finishing this scheme will be the icing on the cake for the regeneration of Buxton and all who have worked on making this become a reality should be very proud of what they have achieved."
Project partner, The Buxton Crescent Hotel and Thermal Spa Company Ltd* said: "As the development partners for the Council we are delighted that our shared effort has resulted in the award of the HLF grant. This provides a clear signal for us to overcome the remaining technical issues and to begin work on the renovation of the Crescent and Thermal Spa which is at the very heart of Buxton."
Explaining the importance of the award, Emma Sale, HLF's Regional Manager for the East Midlands, said: "This £12.5 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant will help realise Buxton Crescent and Natural Mineral Water Spa's hugely exciting regeneration project around its listed Crescent, Natural Baths and Pump Room. One of Europe's most famous natural mineral water spas in the late 18th century will be fully-restored and the Pump Room will provide free public access to Buxton's renowned drinking water."