A RANGE of projects in Glastonbury - including a new park and ride service - are set to benefit from a £23.6million grant.

It was announced on Monday (June 7) that the town has received funding from the Government’s Towns Fund Scheme.

This boost is set to fund a variety of projects to improve the town, including the establishment of an enterprise and innovation centre in Beckery House, completion of work on the Red Brick Building and a new park and ride service.

MP for Wells, James Heappey, said this amount of money will ‘change the area for the better’.

“This is an enormous investment from the Government directly into Glastonbury,” he said.

“I would like to thank those who served with me on the Towns Board for delivering such a wide ranging and exciting proposal that will change our town for the better, bringing employment to our area and give opportunity to people living across mid-Somerset.”

The £23.6million will be used to support the Glastonbury Town Investment Plan, released earlier this year.

The plan will improve buildings and land to provide facilities for community, enterprise and skills development, education, tourism and sports, health and well-being.

The funds mean parts of the town can now be renewed to make it more sustainable to help address climate change issues.

Mayor of Glastonbury, Jon Cousins, said: “The announcement of the approval of £23.6 million of funding to support a wide range of projects in Glastonbury is excellent news.

“It is a testament to the courage, dedication and enthusiasm of Glastonbury residents who will be working together to bring the approved projects in the Town Investment Plan to life.”

Mendip District Council (MDC) and the Glastonbury Town’s Fund Board will work together to agree and sign off the heads of terms of the towns’ fund offer to enable funding to be released as soon as possible.

Chair of Glastonbury Town’s Fund Board and partnership head of Glastonbury Festival, Robert Richards, added: "The board and I, having spent many hours on endless Zoom calls, could not be happier to have reached this point.

“We are delighted that our Town Investment Plan has been recognised and will enable us to bring substantial funding and profound benefit to Glastonbury - a town we should all be proud of.

“Many people across the town contributed to the development of the plan submitted at the end of January this year and it is fantastic that their dedication has had a positive result.

“This is a ‘once in a lifetime’ opportunity for Glastonbury Town, which will also mean that more investment can be sourced for the town, and that this success will ensure a positive future for such a unique and historic place.”

MDC leader, Ros Wyke, said: “Mendip District Council fully supports the growth and investment plan for Glastonbury and congratulates all those who contributed.

"This is wonderful news.

"It offers such excitement and hope, and I am genuinely looking forward to seeing the projects come to life in the coming months and years ahead.”

The Government’s Towns Fund Scheme announcement means 83 town deals have now been agreed. This means a £2 billion investment in communities across England.

Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “We are levelling up towns and cities across the country by building stronger and more resilient local economies, boosting prosperity and opportunity in our communities, and helping them build back better from the pandemic.”

To find out more about the Glastonbury Town Investment Plan visit mendip.gov.uk/towninvestmentplan.

Also in Somerset, Bridgwater is set to benefit from £22.6million from the fund.