Heritage Lottery Fund boost for New Bolsover Model Village

Proposals for the New Bolsover Model Village – re-building pride in the community project - are at an early stage and detailed plans and proposals will be drawn up over the next 12 months.

Development funding of £68,200 has been awarded to help the Council progress their plans to apply for a full grant at a later date.

The scheme will focus on New Bolsover Model Village which comprises 206 dwellings (138 of the properties are owned by Bolsover District Council).

The project aims to carry out essential repairs, restore original architectural features (including windows) and where appropriate provide additional thermal insulation.

Counc Dennis Kelly, Bolsover District Council’s cabinet member for the environment, said: “We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has seen the benefits of this project and awarded us this money to progress our plans.

“New Bolsover Model Village is a prime example of late 19th Century housing and is considered by English Heritage to be one of the finest colliery villages in the country, so we want to make sure the original features are protected, but also bring them up to standard in terms of heating and insulation.

“We want local people to be involved and have their say on our plans, so I would urge all the local residents to come along to these workshops and give us their views.”

A series of community workshops, exhibitions and events will be organised to keep residents informed and to raise awareness of the heritage value of the area.

There will also be volunteering and training opportunities available throughout the life of the project.

New Bolsover Model Village, built by the Bolsover Colliery Company in 1891 to accommodate its workforce, is a lasting legacy to the coal mining industry which dominated life in the town from 1891 to 1993.

It was the first of a series of Model villages developed by the Company, and the design of the Model Village was influenced by the emerging Arts and Crafts and Socialist Movements and their related Garden City ideas.

The buildings were listed Grade II in 1989 and 2004.

The Model Village is also situated within the Bolsover Conservation Area which was first designated on 17th July 1971.