Swaffham councillors and community groups celebrate additional £1million in heritage funding

Councillors and community groups are celebrating after their town was granted an extra £1million to go towards heritage projects.

The High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) Partnership, which includes Breckland Council, Historic England, Swaffham Town Council and the Swaffham Cultural Consortium, has come together to celebrate the scheme’s achievements over a four-year programme.

Breckland Council has now announced that the project will continue for a further three years, with funding secured from Historic England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund to create an expected £1million budget to deliver heritage and community projects in the town.

Since its inception, the HSHAZ project has drawn on the expertise and guidance of numerous stakeholders both local to national.

The partnership has seen joint investment in heritage and culture and its role in bringing wider economic benefits to Swaffham, while delivering against the district’s future vision for the town.

The scheme has seen the restoration of Swaffham’s iconic Assembly Rooms, along with the installation and the repair of three heritage shop fronts, improving key heritage buildings on the high street.

Alongside this, public realm improvements have included new benches, soft landscaping and will see the installation of enhanced signage and wayfinding, all supporting the recommendations of the award-winning Heritage Masterplan.

Breckland Council, along with partners, has said it looks forward to building on this success, “using heritage as a vehicle to regenerate and maximise the potential of Swaffham”.

Central to the new phase of the project is the continuation of the community grants scheme. The initiative aims to restore and revitalize between 9-12 historic buildings within the Swaffham conservation area, breathing new life into the heart of the town.

The grant scheme aims to empower more businesses to reclaim key historical features, ensuring that Swaffham's high street remains a source of pride for generations to come.

Additionally, further public realm works will focus on creating a greener, safer, and more appealing space for residents and visitors alike.

Breckland Council’s executive member for economic development and growth, Cllr Paul Claussen, said: "As chair of the project board, I am thrilled that we are celebrating the achievements of the Swaffham High Street Heritage Actions Zone and are embarking on this exciting new phase with the support of Historic England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“This funding represents a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to preserve and celebrate Swaffham's unique heritage, delivering against our ambitions set out in Swaffham’s Future Breckland Town Delivery Plan and we are immensely grateful for the continued support of our partners and the wider community."

The project will also deliver community engagement and training initiatives. These programmes, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, will provide skills and education to building owners, landlords, and young people in the building trade.

These initiatives aim to ensure that the project's impact extends beyond the physical realm.

Tony Calladine, East of England regional director for Historic England, said: “It’s been wonderful to see the transformation of Swaffham’s historic town centre, with the restoration of the Assembly Rooms, revitalised shopfronts and the attractive and inviting public areas.

“The High Street Heritage Action Zone has shown how heritage-led regeneration can make such a difference to a place in so many ways.

“The fantastic cultural programme has brought people together in the centre of Swaffham, creating a real sense of community and togetherness. I’m delighted that, working in partnership with Breckland Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we’ll see Swaffham’s regeneration continue.”

Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, added: “Our historic high streets are an important part of who we are, creating a sense of place and belonging and bringing communities together.

“Heritage has a unique role in bringing people together where they live, work and visit, and this National Lottery funding will increase people’s connection with the heritage and bring life back to these local special places.

“We are delighted to work in partnership with Historic England and Breckland Council to further our vision for heritage to be valued, cared for, and sustained for everyone, now and in the future.”