Newstead Abbey, a historic gem with ties to the iconic poet Lord Byron, is set to undergo essential repairs after Nottingham City Council secured a £104,000 grant from Historic England.
The funding will be used for a development phase to address ongoing issues with the structure, particularly its deteriorating roofs.
The restoration efforts come after a 2014 condition survey revealed that the abbey’s roofs were in urgent need of repair, with a suggested timeline of five years for action.
However, ten years later, further deterioration has left parts of the building unsafe.
In some internal areas, ceilings have collapsed, necessitating the relocation of museum collections to safer spaces. Without these critical repairs, Newstead Abbey faces continued structural degradation and remains listed on the Heritage at Risk Register.
The project, supported by this £104,000 grant, aims to prepare a programme of repairs to the RIBA Stage 4 specification, a necessary step to apply for further external funding to cover the full costs of the restoration. Additionally, a 20% match funding of £26,000 will be provided through the Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisation (ACE NPO) grant for 2024-2025. The ACE NPO grant had previously been approved by the Executive Board earlier this year.
The development phase will focus on contracting a professional team, including a Conservation Accredited Architect, Structural Engineer, and Quantity Surveyor, all to be procured through the Nottingham City Council’s standard procurement procedures. The phase is expected to be completed by February 2025, providing a clear plan for future repairs.
Rachel Evans, Museums Development Manager at Nottingham City Council, expressed the importance of the project: “Newstead Abbey holds a significant place in our cultural heritage, and securing this grant is a vital step toward ensuring that the building can be preserved for future generations. We are committed to seeing this through and hope that this phase will lead to securing the necessary funding for full restoration.”
Potential Consequences of Inaction
The decision to accept the grant is vital, as doing nothing could have dire consequences for Newstead Abbey. A failure to address the abbey’s deteriorating condition would leave Nottingham City Council responsible for the repair costs, potentially leading to financial strain on the local government. The building’s poor state has already led to significant internal damage, with some areas being propped up to prevent ceilings from collapsing. If left unattended, these issues could worsen, causing further damage and increasing restoration costs in the future.
In 2014, a survey already highlighted the urgent need for roof repairs, and the worsening condition of the abbey over the past decade has further underscored the necessity for immediate action.
Key Stats:
- Total Value of Grant: £104,000
- Match Funding: £26,000 from ACE NPO grant (2024-2025)
- Development Phase Completion Target: February 2025
- Purpose: Prepare for larger-scale repair work to secure further external funding
- Current Structural Issues: Deteriorating roofs, collapsed ceilings, internal safety concerns
Legal and Financial Considerations
The grant comes with no financial risk to Nottingham City Council. Even if future funding for the full repairs is not secured, Historic England has guaranteed that there will be no clawback of the grant money awarded for this phase. This assurance allows the council to proceed without the pressure of covering costs from its own budget if additional funding cannot be secured.
Additionally, the programme’s development will reduce future liabilities for the council. By addressing these urgent repairs now, the long-term costs of maintaining the building will likely decrease, reducing strain on the building maintenance budget.
