The project aims to repair and conserve the Priory buildings and landscape to create a vibrant community and learning space in the City of Gloucester.

Development funding of £311,400 has also been awarded to help the Llanthony Secunda Priory Trust to progress their plans to apply for a full grant at a later date. The development work will start at the beginning of 2014 and last 18 months, and the trust intends to deliver the full project by September 2017. The 'Reformation Project' aims to bring the long forgotten Llanthony Secunda Priory site back to life with a programme of repair and conservation, a fully landscaped area for use by the public, and a programme of community events and learning opportunities in a new Interpretation centre on site.

The picturesque medieval range will be repaired and converted to provide a permanent educational, multi-use facility; the stable block will house the new interpretation centre and community facilities; while the whole programme of building and activities will enable volunteers to participate and help care for and learn about this site.

Llanthony Secunda Priory  was established in 1136, initially as the daughter house of Llanthony Priory in Wales, but went on to become one of the most important and influential institutions, both religious and secular, in the City of Gloucester and surrounds. Its story covers the power, wealth and influence of religious houses and figures in shaping both the city and our nation; the Crown and Royal visits; Dissolution, agrarian revolution, the English Civil War and the Siege of Gloucester, through to the Industrial age, neglect and despoliation and the miracle of its survival today. This story will be brought to life for today’s audience.

Jeremy Williamson, Chairman of the Llanthony Trust, said: "We are delighted to have secured the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, which provides the trust with the platform from which to develop and ultimately deliver its ambitions."

Nerys Watts, Head of HLF South West, said: "With 900 years of history these buildings in the heart of Gloucester are of great historic value and are in urgent need of restoration. We are delighted to be supporting this project so that the site’s complex story, from its monastic origins to a Royalist camp during the English Civil War, can be properly explored and shared with the public. We look forward to working with the trust as their plans develop."

Notes to editors

Llanthony Secunda Priory Trust was formed in 2007 to manage, preserve and restore the priory. The Trust comprises up to 12 trustees with wide ranging experience. All of the trustees are unpaid volunteers who are very enthusiastic and single minded in their ambitions to protect and celebrate the heritage at Llanthony. Trustees are Jeremy Williaimson (Chair), Phil Staddon, Sir Henry Elwes, Graham Howell  Ian Stainburn, Ian Patton, Paul Toleman, Peter Evans, Sarah Gilbert and Liz Griffiths (Secretary).

Further information

Jeremy Williamson at Llanthony Secunda Priory Trust on 07767 658921 or by e-mail to Liz Griffiths at llanthonysecundapriory@gmail.com.

Laura Bates, HLF press office, 020 7591 6027, email: lbates@hlf.org.uk.