AN exciting project to breathe new life into a medieval barn in Nailsea has received a massive lottery boost. The Nailsea Tithe Barn Trust and

AN exciting project to breathe new life into a medieval barn in Nailsea has received a massive lottery boost.The Nailsea Tithe Barn Trust and the town council learnt this week their bid for £500,000 of Heritage Lottery Funding had been successful.The project to restore the barn, which was built in 1480, is expected to cost £923,000.Nailsea Town Council has pledged £150,000 towards the project and £50,000 has been raised as a result of local fund-raising, pledges and cash from the Diocese of Bath and Wells.Applications to other organisations are now being submitted to raise the rest of the cash.The green light from the HLF will see a £27,000 slice of funding released to allow the trust to gain planning permission, get the rest of the money in place and finish the business plan.Once complete, the rest of the £500,000 will be released and work could start on restoring the Tithe Barn in the summer of next year. The work is expected to take 14 months to complete and it is hoped the building will re-open in September 2009.Nailsea Town Council chairman Councillor Marston Dufty said: "I am absolutely delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has rewarded the commitment of the town clerk and the committee of trustees by the granting of the full sum requested in the bid."I look forward to the time when this valued and historic building will be taken back into full community use."Nailsea Tithe Barn Trust chairman David Francis said: "The Tithe Barn is a unique and precious building dear to the hearts of many who went to school there or used the building in years gone by."It has a story to tell and our vision is that it will be renovated to provide both a heritage site and a beautiful hall featuring the ancient oak timbers."There is enormous interest in the barn being used by a wide range of groups and it will be a vibrant community resource bringing people together across the ages with different interests and needs."The Tithe Barn, which was given Grade II listed building status in 2003, used to be used as a school up until the 1970s.