A team trying to turn a derelict chapel into a thriving arts hub received a vote of confidence to the tune of £10,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
The Horton Chapel Arts and Heritage Society was awarded a £10,000 grant from the HLF this week to help restore the Grade II-listed chapel in Livingston Park in Epsom.
The chapel, above, has been owned by the council since 2004 and has stood empty for nearly two decades.
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The Arts and Heritage Society hope to refurbish the chapel – which was previously part of a group of local hospitals known as the Epsom Cluster, or the Horton Estate – while preserving the heritage of the chapel.
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Ian Reeves, the society’s chairman, believes the grant will mean they can prepare a feasibility study, prepare initial design work with an architect specialising in heritage buildings, and conduct market research allowing residents to shape the project.
Mr Reeves said: “The grant is a massive vote of confidence for our project.
“Horton Chapel has exceptional potential to become a vibrant and exciting centre of Epsom and Ewell’s cultural community life – and this award gives us the springboard to make that happen."
Back row (L-R): Claire Harris, Maria Reeves, Bryan Benge, Ian Reeves; Front row (L-R): Nick Barry, Sarah Dewing, Kirstie Arnould, Julian Waters, Rupert Salmon, David Gulland, Lionel Blackman
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council is inviting community groups to submit their own ideas, which should demonstrate community benefits, what refurbishments will be needed, how the building will be managed, and how much funding will be needed.
The deadline for proposals is the end of June.
The council’s strategy and resources committee will receive progress reports on proposals at a meeting on June 28.
A funding pot – which includes funds from developers and landowners of the Horton Estate, and is looked after by the council – totalling £1.95million would be available towards the upkeep of the chapel.
Court ward councillor Kate Chinn was delighted by the news, and has requested the deadline for community bids be extended to give the society every chance of succeeding.
For more information on the Horton Chapel Arts and Heritage Society, including a link to their survey of how residents would like the refurbished chapel to be used, visit www.hortonchapelarts.org
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