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Heritage Action Zone fund set to restore Fleetwood church

St mary s church

St Mary’s Presbytery church in Fleetwood is to benefit from over £80,000 as part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zone.

The repairs will repair the historic Grade II listed building and create a welcoming space for the community.

Work to be carried out includes re-roofing, lead work repairs, chimney repairs and new glazing; all to create a warm and spectacular space for the community to gather.

The work is part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zones from Historic England, funded by Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), now the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and managed by Wyre Council.

The fund looks to work with partners to unlock the potential of historic high streets, fuelling economy, social and cultural recovery. Projects will transform disused and dilapidated buildings into homes, shops, work places and community spaces.

Councillor Alice Collinson, portfolio holder for Economic Development and Planning Policy, commented, “We are incredibly grateful to be awarded funding from Historic England for the Heritage Action Zone to benefit buildings in Fleetwood.

“Fleetwood is a town steeped in history and architectural wonders. The funding will allow us to bring an added sparkle to these incredible buildings.

“We can’t wait to see the final renovations to the Presbytery and hope it provides a warm and welcoming space for the community.”

St Mary’s Presbytery was constructed in 1878, ten years after the adjacent church, to the design of Innocent and Brown of Sheffield. It is constructed of rock-faced and ashlar sandstone to the main elevations, but red brick to the rear with a steeply pitched Welsh slate roof with tall chimneys and decorated with an iron finial.

The building is grade II listed, as is the adjacent church and both sit within the Fleetwood Conservation Area – an area created to protect the special architectural and historic interest of a place.

The repaired Presbytery building will not only provide a warm and dry home for the Parish Priest, Father Michael Murphy, but also a centre for social activity and a meeting place and point of contact for homeless people needing spiritual support.

The renovation work is to cost in excess of £100,000, but £80,000 is to be contributed under the Heritage Action Zone.

To find out more on the Heritage Action Zone programme, visit www.wyre.gov.uk/heritageactionzone

Published: 17th November 2021

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