The internationally renowned Blaenavon World Heritage Site, and parts of the surrounding area, has received a cash boost of more than £2 million to further enhance and conserve the cultural and natural landscape.

£2.47 million has been awarded to the Forgotten Landscapes Project which aims to further increase visitor numbers, increase awareness and improve the social and economic regeneration of the area for local people.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) will provide 60 per cent of the funding with the rest coming from bodies including the Welsh Assembly Government- Heads of the Valleys programme, Valleys Regional Park, the Environment Agency and the Countryside Council for Wales.

Cash will be used for a range of regeneration projects over the next three years including: 

• The conservation and restoration of historical features such as the Pwll Du tramway tunnel which was used to transport coal, limestone and pig iron to the ironworks. 
• Conservation of the natural habitat and wildlife including the restoration of wetlands and grasslands and better management of bracken on the mountains to promote the return of Welsh mountain ponies and traditional breeds of cattle. 
• Improved access to the landscape and its features 
• Educational projects and improved facilities such as providing countryside skills training for local people. 
• A micro-hydro project above Forgeside Community Wood which will generate enough electricity to power around 35 homes and prevent the emission of 70 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

News of the cash came as a welcome boost to Torfaen Council's Neighbourhood Services Department which was launched in April. The department, which provides the authority's frontline services, and includes areas such as leisure and regeneration, will lead the partnership and the project team will be based at the Blaenavon World Heritage Centre.

Chief Officer Christina Harrhy said: "This is fantastic news, particularly on the day that the new department is launched. Forgotten Landscapes will significantly improve the World Heritage Site and its landscape setting."

Torfaen Council leader Bob Wellington added: "The project will ensure that visitors and local people will be able to access, understand and enjoy this remarkable area. As a key eastern gateway, Forgotten Landscapes will also act as a stepping stone into the Valleys Regional Park and will help reconnect local people with their rich and globally important heritage."

HLF has already made a number of awards in Blaenavon, including Big Pit: National Coal Museum (£5.4 million), St Peter's Church (£104,500) and the World Heritage Centre (former St. Peter’s School) (1.3 million) but a need was identified to enhance other features other than the built environment.

For more information about this exciting project visit www.forgottenlandscapes.org.uk|