A bid for £14 million of funding to preserve Brighton’s Royal Pavilion Estate has been rejected.

Brighton and Hove City Council, who submitted the bid, was told yesterday the Heritage Lottery Funding (HLF) money had been turned down.

Last November, Andrew Comben, chief executive of the Dome and Festival, said parts of the estate could close unless they were granted the vital funding.

The HLF funding was instead handed out to Nottingham Castle, Canterbury Cathedral , Plymouth History Centre, Blackpool Museum, Beamish: The North of England’s Open Air Museum and Bath Abbey.

It is unclear what the decision will mean for the planned redevelopment of the Royal Pavilion Estate.

A Royal Estates spokeswoman said they were “disappointed” by the decision but would look at applying for future funding.

She added that the HLF feedback had been “very encouraging” with their trustees noting the high heritage importance of the estate.

Mr Comben said,"Our ambition is to transform and revitalize the Royal Pavilion Estate into a world class heritage site at the heart of Brighton and Hove.

“I am of course disappointed that we have not been successful this time round in bidding for Heritage Lottery funding but we are very encouraged by the feedback given to us by HLF Trustees and delighted they are so supportive of our vision.

“We will continue to work with HLF and all our partners on developing plans for a sustainable future for the Royal Pavilion Estate.”

Janita Bagshawe, director of the Royal Pavilion and Museums, said: “We need to not lose sight of our ambition to transform and revitalize a world class heritage site at the heart of Brighton and Hove.

“We will continue to work with HLF and our partners to develop the long term plan for the Royal Pavilion estate and to secure the funding to do so.

“It is the symbol of the city and deserves to be a place that everyone can experience and enjoy.”

More to come.