A community group trying to convert a grade II-listed chapel in Epsom’s historic hospital cluster were boosted by a £25,000 development grant this week.
Horton Chapel Arts & Heritage Society (HCAHS), a group of 11 residents, including Sky Sports News presenter Julian Walters and a stage manager at The National Theatre, were awarded the grant by the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF).
The society hope to renovate Horton Chapel so that a programme of performances, film screenings, exhibitions and events can take place there alongside children’s clubs, and a café and bar.
The AHF grant will cover some of the development costs of the project.
HCAHS chair Ian Reeves said: “We are extremely pleased that the AHF has recognised the importance and potential for renovating Horton Chapel.”
From September: Horton Chapel Arts and Heritage Society given green light to bid for chapel regeneration funding
Epsom and Ewell Borough Council’s strategy and resources committee gave HCAHS the green light to bid for funding in September. At the meeting on September 27, councillors also pledged to release up to £1.45m to put towards the regeneration of the Victorian chapel in Livingston Park.
From October 2015: Epsom Residents Association plan sale of historic Horton Chapel if right offer is made
From October 2015: Residents demand urgent campaign over future of historic Horton Chapel
In April, HCAHS was awarded a Heritage Lottery start-up grant of £10,000, and has applied for further funding from the Heritage Lottery Enterprise Fund. The group continues to apply for funding grants and seek donations for the project.
From April: Heritage Lottery Fund give vote of confidence to group trying to turn derelict Horton Chapel into arts hub
Mr Reeves, who is also a co-founder of the Centre for Journalism at the University of Kent, added: “The grant acknowledges that it is indeed a building at-risk and is testament to our committee’s efforts to develop a viable plan and vision for the future.”
The AHF is a charity that invests government grants and donations to community projects to conserve historic buildings.
The charity has donated £3.7million in grants and more than £46million in loans since the fund’s inception in 1976.
Tessa Hilder, AHF support officer, congratulated the Horton Chapel project.
She said: "The AHF is delighted to support HCAHS. Through their hard work and commitment, the group's volunteers have already achieved a great deal in identifying how the future of this important heritage building can be secured.
“Our grant will help them to move forward in developing their plans to bring Horton Chapel back into use as a thriving community asset."
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