A huge grant has helped to save the meeting place of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and preserve it for future generations.

The future of Tolpuddle Old Chapel is secure thanks to a £329,300 funding boost from the National Lottery.

The Grade II* Listed building, built in 1818 as a Methodist chapel, is of international importance but it is in a poor state of repair and on Historic England’s ‘At Risk Register’.

After four years of work by trustees, volunteers, project managers, consultants, architects, Friends of Tolpuddle Old Chapel and financial sponsors, £290,000 has been raised for a renovation project, with £36,000 left to raise.

The National Lottery funding – towards a total project bill of £655,000 – puts the Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust (TOCT) in a strong position to realise a vision of renovating and extending the building.

As well as renovating the building the plan is to build an extension and create interpretation and learning facilities. Public consultation in 2015 combined with meetings with local schools and others developed new ideas for uses.

Stuart Hobley, Area Director London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Over two centuries old, Tolpuddle Old Chapel represents a fascinating chapter of the story of Dorset, the Tolpuddle Martyrs and social justice.”

Andrew McCarthy, Chairman of TOCT, said: “Since our purchase of this ‘At Risk’ building in 2015, the trust has received the backing of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Architectural Heritage Fund, Historic England, Charitable Trusts and Foundations, Dorset County Council, the former West Dorset District Council and numerous individuals.

“This final highly significant National Lottery funding will allow the trust’s architect, Paul Richold of Architecton, to move plans forward in order to start building work, as well as ensuring this wonderful legacy is saved for future generations.”

West Dorset MP Sir Oliver Letwin praised the work of the trust.

congratulated the Trust saying: “What is so wonderful about the project, quite apart from the beautiful way in which it is being executed, is the fact that it has been conceived not by some great agency charged with such functions, but by the voluntary efforts of people who have nothing to gain by it and whose enthusiasm for the cause derives exclusively from their concern to improve the place in which they live and to celebrate the links of that place with a part of our history that is of global significance.

“I am proud to have supported Tolpuddle Old Chapel Trust during its three years development and look forward to building work starting.”

The former chapel is listed as Grade II* by Historic England. Research suggests that the original cob structure was built by two of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and their families.

It was at the chapel where the six labourers met in the 1830s to exchange ideas and build their confidence to challenge the injustices of their harsh living and working conditions. They were to become known as the Tolpuddle Martyrs and their story played a huge role in the subsequent creation of the trade union movement.

For the past 150 years it has been used for agricultural purposes. The building is currently, and has been for a number of years, in a poor state of repair and currently is not in use.