The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced initial support worth £76 million for eight major projects ranging from mills to museums, including ambitious and exciting plans to create a new V&A at Dundee designed by Japanese architect, Kengo Kuma.

Colin McLean, Head of HLF in Scotland, said the V&A at Dundee will "harness this incredible heritage and present it to the world as a celebration of Scottish talent".

"Housed in a stunning building, which itself reflects cutting-edge design, it has the potential to be a ‘must-see’ destination, attracting visitors and design professionals from across the globe," he added.

Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of HLF, said the latest portfolio of projects to receive support is probably one of the most wide-reaching the organisation has ever seen. 

She said: "It covers so much that is important to the UK’s heritage – from cathedrals to national parks and industrial buildings to great museums. 

"It recognises the role the UK has played in the development of modern architecture and in doing so will help ensure some of our most-loved places are saved for future generations."

Since its creation, HLF has supported over 30,000 projects, allocating £4.9 billion.

The eight latest projects to receive support are:

• Ditherington Flax Mill Maltings, Shropshire – internationally important conservation area and home to the world’s oldest iron framed building. Initial support for a £12.1m HLF bid, including £465,300 development funding;
• V&A at Dundee – an exciting new museum to be located in Scotland’s fourth largest city as a showcase for design talent, past and present. Initial support for a £9.2m HLF bid, including £200,000 development funding;
• The Royal Academy of Arts, Piccadilly, London – one of the capital’s most famous centres of artistic excellence. Initial support for a £12.7m HLF bid, including £458,700 development funding;
• Northumberland National Park - the North East’s ‘cathedral’ of the natural world, stretching from Hadrian’s wall to the Scottish borders. Initial support for a £6.3m HLF bid, including £399,200 development funding;
• The Maze Long Kesh, Lisburn – former World War II and prison site set to be transformed into a centre for peace-building and conflict resolution. Initial support for a £6.4m HLF bid, including £351,600 development funding;
• Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent – a grand but jaded estate steeped in 600 years of turbulent history. Initial support for a £7.5m HLF bid, no development funding;
• National Army Museum, London – a much-loved museum telling the stories of the British Army from 1415 to recent campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. Initial support for a £11.3m HLF bid, including £350,000 development funding;
• Winchester Cathedral, Hampshire – one of the UK’s most treasured places of worship and home to the 12th-century Winchester Bible. Initial support for a £10.5m HLF bid, including £475,500 development funding.

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