Napper appointed to deliver the Treasures of Blanchland project
Napper Architects are delighted to announce that Graeme Dodd has been appointed as Specialist Conservation Architect (RIBA SCA) to lead the design team for the £2.1m Treasures of Blanchland project. Through citizen research, academic study and skilled heritage conservation, the project will unlock and share the mysteries of Blanchland, exploring the rich history of the village while repairing and conserving the fabric of the medieval Blanchland Abbey.
The project will include sensitive restoration and interpretation, alongside measures to create a sustainable future for the grade I-listed Abbey Church, ensuring it remains a welcoming and distinctive heritage asset at the heart of the community.
The Treasures of Blanchland is the third phase of the Blanchland Abbey Project, a community-led heritage regeneration programme that the community began developing in 2017. The Treasures of Blanchland Partnership was established to promote and safeguard the heritage of the village, particularly the Abbey Church, while engaging the public with its story, from its medieval foundation through to the present day. As a vibrant place of gathering, worship and wider community activity, the Treasures of Blanchland Partnership proposes to stabilise and conserve the Abbey Church of St Mary’s and its landscape, ensuring its long-term sustainability while protecting its historic significance within the village.
“Napper Architects are uniquely positioned to deliver the Treasures of Blanchland project through an established combination of ecclesiastical conservation expertise, National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) experience and a strong commitment to sustainable heritage regeneration.”
Graeme Dodd, Napper Architects.
“A huge amount of work has been done over the past six years. I am delighted to be involved in what is a wonderful community project. My role is to help us navigate this next stage, which is crucial because once complete, this major work will benefit Blanchland for many years to come.”
Dr Chris Ferguson, Project Manager for the Treasures of Blanchland.
