Shropshire County Council has announced that construction and conservation work has started on the £900,000 Llanymynech Limeworks heritage area.

The nine-month project will restore the roof of the limework’s Hoffman Kiln – one of only three left in the country – as well as the kilns, winding houses, tally house, tramlines, canals and pathways.

In addition, the former stables block will be converted into an education centre and museum and way markers and interpretation boards will independently guide visitors around the site.

Herefordshire-based heritage builder Capps and Capps started work on the regeneration project yesterday (1 November). The project is being funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, DEFRA (Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund), Shropshire County Council, British Waterways, Oswestry Borough Council, Llanymynech and Pant Parish Council and the European Union (ERDF).

Project partners include the Shropshire and Montgomery Wildlife Trusts, Oswestry Borough Council and British Waterways, which recently reopened an 800m stretch of the Montgomery Canal originating from Llanymynech wharf.

The limework quarries date from the 19th century. Details: www.llanymynech.org.uk