£10million funding milestone for heritage in North East Lincolnshire

• Today, The National Lottery Heritage Fund announces £250k grant to North East Lincolnshire Council, thanks to National Lottery players.

• Latest award brings investment in North East Lincolnshire to £10million since 2019, following five years of targeted support for heritage-led regeneration.

• The project will invest in skills and capacity to research and protect the natural heritage of our section of the Humber Estuary. 

• North East Lincolnshire is one of our nine Heritage Places across the UK

A programme focused on the natural heritage of the Cleethorpes coastline, at risk from climate change and increased coastal recreation activities, has secured a significant grant. This project brings our investment in North East Lincolnshire since 2019 to over £10million.

North East Lincolnshire Council has been awarded £250,000 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the Dynamic Understanding of the Natural Environment (DUNE) project to explore options to save and better protect the fragile coastline. It will also support opportunities to increase access, inclusion and participation for local communities and visitors through an activities and education programme. 

DUNE focuses on North East Lincolnshire's coastline, in particular the natural salt marsh and sand dune environments of Cleethorpes on the south bank of the Humber Estuary, which are of internationally significant ecological importance for various habitats and species. The site has several nature conservation designations including being a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Investing in skills and capacity to maintain the heritage asset is central to the project, with the recruitment of a Research and Engagement Advisor. This post will build knowledge and relations across the area and develop future activities, including working with schools and using new digital technologies increasing access to information and heritage. A Coastal Ranger will also come on board to help protect the most sensitive areas of the SSSI, support ecological and bird surveys and educational activities.

Building on five years of targeted funding, this latest award comes as we celebrate a £10million milestone. Between 2019-2024 North East Lincolnshire was an ‘Area of Focus’, meaning they received targeted support to apply for project funding. It has since become one of the places in our Heritage Places initiative, receiving support over 10 years and allowing opportunities for wider funding. This new funding is part of Heritage Places allowing North East Lincolnshire Council to build upon their status by investing in natural heritage.

Since 2019, we’ve kick-started the heritage-led regeneration of North East Lincolnshire with over 30 grants to projects across the area launching us towards the funding milestone, including:

• Synergy Community Interest Company who received a grant of £9,999 to work with young people from underserved backgrounds and the LGBTQ+ community to uncover the History of Fish and Chips in Grimsby and Cleethorpes. 

• Linkage Community Trust to deliver the Weelsby Hall project with £3.5million. It will restore and renovate three historic buildings on the estate, providing a training hub, Sensory Library, and Sensory Integration Suite, as well as heritage interpretation for visitors to the site.

Helen Featherstone, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund said: “At the Heritage Fund, we believe in the power of heritage to create positive and lasting change, now and in the future. We know that when our investments contribute to the long-term vision for a place, the benefits can be profound and long-lasting for its local community, visitors, and economy. 

So, it is wonderful news that thanks to National Lottery players, the Heritage Fund’s support in the ‘DUNE’ project has taken our total investment across North East Lincolnshire since 2019 to an impressive £10million.

Working with North East Lincolnshire Council has allowed us to understand the long term heritage ambitions of the areas. North East Lincolnshire remains a priority for the Heritage Fund through our initiative “Heritage Places”; a ten year programme to continue to support the heritage aspirations of the area, which leave a legacy for all to enjoy.”  

Councillor Henry Hudson, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Net Zero at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is great news for the borough and we welcome the investment to a key area of Cleethorpes.

“The SSSI is an integral parts of our ecosystem that need preserving. With these new roles, there will be a solid foundation for the continued natural development of these areas.

“Collating vital information and working closely with the public allows us to greater understand the area’s environment and encourage the use of our other open spaces for the residents and visitors as the project continues.”