An historic Northamptonshire building which was ravaged by fire three years ago has been given a £4 million cash boost to turn it into a “major education and visitor destination”.
The Heritage Lottery Fund money will be spent at the Grade II listed Chester Farm, which provides evidence of thousands of years of settlement.
The roof and first floor of the building, in Irchester, collapsed after a fire struck in May 2010.
The Northamptonshire County Council-owned site includes traces of Iron Age enclosures and ancient field systems.
Below ground there is an extensive Roman settlement including a Roman walled town, and recent excavation has shown that key elements of the town, such as roads, temples and other buildings, have survived.
There was also medieval settlement on the site including the remains of the deserted village of Chester-by-the-Water.
The site also includes a complex of farm buildings, dating from the 17th to the 20th century together with the remains of formal gardens, orchard and parkland.
Extensive ironstone extraction took place in the area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and there are the remains of an ironstone tramway across the site.
County council leader Jim Harker (Con, Ise) said: “Chester Farm is a spectacular asset that has remained unexploited for far too long. It is a heritage site of national importance, with more than 2,000 years of our county’s history on one site, including a complete Roman town.
“It is a great educational opportunity to involve the people of Northamptonshire, of all ages, in exploring and discovering their heritage, and I am so pleased that the Heritage Lottery Fund has recognised this in their award today.”
Vanessa Harbar, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be able to play our part in helping to realise the true potential of this site. Chester Farm will be a great resource for scholars, historians and the wider public.”
The project will include an archaeological resource centre; a classroom facility with space for up to 70 learners and a conference and exhibition space.