This week, Dorset Council announced it has successfully secured funding to improve and preserve the heritage site of High Angle Battery in Portland.
Thanks to a grant of just under £250,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, an exciting new project to rediscover the site is set to begin.
Built in the 1890s to help defend the isle of Portland against invasion, the locally important site of High Angle Battery has slowly fallen into disrepair. And last year, its outdated interpretation panels, graffiti and heritage damage led to the site being placed on Historic England’s ‘at risk’ register.
Image of the popular ‘ghost tunnels’ at the battery site, photo credit Historic England Archive
This project, which has been made possible by money raised by National Lottery players, will focus on improving the site’s heritage, biodiversity, and access. And aims to help tell the story of the battery to a much wider audience.
A previous consultation with the local community helped shape the project, through which key partners, the community, and volunteers outlined improvements they wanted to see made to the site. The consultation also highlighted local appetite for more activities and events at the site and for the popular ‘ghost tunnels’ to be fully opened.
Working closely with Portland Town Council, the council plan to act on what the community has asked for and rejuvenate this historically important site. Once the work has completed, the battery will become a valuable local asset where events, tours and school visits will be a regular occurrence.
Councillor Ray Bryan, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Highways, Travel and Environment, said:
“We are thrilled to receive this award from the Heritage Fund and are excited to be working in partnership with the local community on a shared ambition and vision for High Angle Battery.
“The rediscovering of this important site will see High Angle Battery become an integral part of Portland that will provide many social, economic, historic, cultural and environmental benefits to the local area and communities.”
Stuart McLeod, Director of England – London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:
“We are delighted to support this important project to preserve Portland’s High Angle Battery for future generations. Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, even more people will be able to access and learn about the history of the site.
“Heritage has a huge role to play in instilling pride in communities, and this project to save this much-loved landmark is a fantastic example of this.”
Moving forward a ‘friends of’ group will be set up to help with the long-term care of the site which will be managed in partnership by Dorset Council and Portland Town Council.
Image of the High Angle Battery at Portland, photo credit Historic England Archive
Image of the High Angle Battery at Portland, photo credit Historic England Archive
Image of the popular ‘ghost tunnels’ at the battery site, photo credit Historic England Archive