Heritage visit cash hopes

GREAT Yarmouth council bosses hope a visit today, Wednesday, by commissioners for English Heritage and CABE (the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) will boost their chances of clinching £4m in funding for a scheme to transform an historic part of the town.

GREAT Yarmouth council bosses hope a visit today, Wednesday, by commissioners for English Heritage and CABE (the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment) will boost their chances of clinching £4m in funding for a scheme to transform an historic part of the town.

As well as inspecting existing regeneration sites, including the outer harbour, they will take a look at the area around King Street and St George's Chapel which the council wants to transform into a quarter for galleries, artists' residences, street cafes and specialist shops.

Under plans unveiled in September, the 18th century listed chapel, most recently used as a theatre, would be turned into a flexible arts and cultural venue.

The council has lodged a bid for £4m from CABE's Sea Change programme, which aims “to use culture to make a difference”, and hopes to secure a further £4m in matched funding from such sources as the East of England Development Agency.

Council corporate director Peter Hardy said: “The visit is very welcome. There is a lot we want to show them apart from the project on the drawing board at the moment.”

Paul Morrell, deputy chairman of CABE, said: “CABE and English Heritage are working closely together because we want people to be able to live in distinctive places with real character. This calls for a deep understanding of what is unique about a place's identity and heritage.”

“It's apt that we are meeting in Yarmouth. We are well aware of the historical and cultural importance of seaside resorts and CABE, English Heritage and others are supporting the regeneration of seaside towns through our collaborative Sea Change programme.”