TWELVE improvement projects in a Somerset town have taken a step forward after a meeting last week.

Members of the Glastonbury Town Deal Board voted on Friday (July 30) to progress all the projects outlined in the Town Investment Plan (TIP).

The plan is being funded by the Government’s Town Deal Fund scheme.

Glastonbury has received £23.6million in funding, but originally applied for £24.5million - meaning they have a £900,000 shortfall.

The Glastonbury Town Deal Board decided to continue with the 12 planned projects - but to reduce the cost of each by 3.6 per cent, so no extra funding was needed.

Mayor of Glastonbury, Cllr Jon Cousins, said: “I’m pleased that the board agreed to progress all 12 projects.

“There are elements within the TIP that benefit different parts of our community and, with regeneration and sustainability at the very heart of the plan, it is only right that all of our ambitions for the town are realised, albeit with nominal budget cuts.

“With a collaborative approach, I’m sure we can find ways to consolidate some costs and requirements to ensure that Glastonbury still gains maximum benefits from the funding.”

The next step for Glastonbury Town Deal Board and Mendip District Council (MDC) is to confirm to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) that they wish to take forward all 12 projects.

They will need to submit additional financial, monitoring and evaluation information by August 28.

A five stage business case will then need to be developed for each of the projects, as well as an overall business case.

Leader of MDC, Cllr Ros Wyke, said: “I’m delighted to hear of the good progress made by the Glastonbury Town Deal Board and the vital decisions they are making at their regular meetings.

“Glastonbury is a major visitor destination as well as a very special place to live and work.

"The twelve projects in development will bring together infrastructure and services to enable greater prosperity.

“They are exactly what the people of this unique town deserve.”

The TIP’s aim it to deliver a ‘levelling up’ opportunity for the town, bringing existing assets back into community use.

The 12 projects include:

  • Regeneration of the Baily’s Buildings
  • Establishment of an Enterprise and Innovation Centre in Beckery House
  • Completion of the work on Building C
  • Glastonbury Clean Energy
  • Establishment of Glastonbury Environment Centre
  • Renovation of St Brigid’s Chapel and Field
  • Delivery of a Food and Regenerative Farming Centre
  • Transport and Travel
  • An enabling Project
  • Regeneration of St Dunstan’s House
  • Renovation of the entrance to Glastonbury Abbey
  • Establishment of a new Sports and Leisure Facility

Chair of the Town Deal Board, Robert Richards, added: “There has been a huge amount of work going on behind the scenes with the project leaders, delivery team and my fellow Town Deal Board members.

“I would like to extend my thanks to them all as we now take another step closer to bringing in the £23.6m Towns Fund investment in Glastonbury – the highest award in the South West and one of the highest per capita in the UK.”

Somerset County Gazette:

There has already been some investment in Glastonbury thanks to the £500,000 accelerator funding.

These project included:

  • The renovation of The Glastonbury Way
  • The renovation of St Edmund’s Hall
  • Some refurbishments in the High Street
  • The development of Herbies Field
  • The renovation of part of Building C, the Red Brick Buildings