PLANS to save, conserve and transform public access to Castle Drogo received a boost, thanks to a first-round pass* award from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The award means the National Trust can progress to the second stage of the HLF application process, where they will be seeking £2.5-million of HLF support towards the £12-million project.

Castle Drogo — the last castle to be built in Britain — has suffered serious structural problems which have resulted in water penetration throughout the building. If extensive conservation works to the roof are not undertaken, there is a risk the building will become inaccessible.

Plans to preserve the castle building include the renovation of the roof structure, using cutting-edge materials to ensure it is watertight, while preserving the vision of the original design. All the castle's windows would be refurbished, and the walls re-pointed.

The project also plans to create a heritage skills training and development hub at Castle Drogo, offering training in masonry, joinery and furniture-making to volunteers and visitors. This will help protect the future of the castle by offering a wide range of uses for the building including new learning and exhibition spaces and opportunities to explore the estate's extensive grounds on Dartmoor.

Adrian Colston, Dartmooor general manager for National Trust said: 'This is fantastic news for Castle Drogo and everyone who loves this wonderful 20th century masterpiece. 

'Over the next year we will be consulting and talking to local people and our supporters about how they can get involved in helping save this important building from severe water penetration. 

'Receiving this first-round pass award means we can start to put some of our plans in action and get wider input into shaping the overall project when work on site will hopefully begin in 2012. 

'It's a really exciting time for the property and I'm truly grateful that the Heritage Lottery Fund have recognised what an important and vital building Castle Drogo is.'

Castle Drogo is the only 20th-century building in Devon to have a Grade I listing.