John Osborne's former home given £1.65m lottery award

A rural hideaway has been given £1.65 million in funding as part of a plan to attract some of the best writers in the world to Shropshire.

The cash has been awarded to The Hurst at Clunton, near Clun, which is the former home of the playwright John Osborne, by Arts Council England. It has marked the first step towards funding a £3.3 million project to establish The Hurst as a flagship writing centre by creating sustainable accommodation, reducing long-term costs and the venue's carbon footprint.

Mr Osborne once described the scene looking out from the house as "the best view in England" and the site includes three 18th century buildings set in 30 acres of land with a spring-fed lake.

The venue is being managed by the Arvon Foundation, which provides opportunities for writers to take part in residential courses in a rural setting and has an alumni boasting poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, Booker Prize winning novelist Pat Barker, Brit shortlisted singer-songwriter Rumer, and Costa Prize winner Jo Shapcott.

Arts Council officials have provided the cash as part of a long-term project aimed at making old and listed buildings more resilient and sustainable.

Ruth Borthwick, Arvon's chief executive, said: "We look forward to working with the Arts Council to use our experience at The Hurst to offer practical ways forward to lower carbon impacts for other arts organisations with historic venues.

"The Arts Council's grant launches Arvon's fundraising campaign aiming to raise £3.3 million to establish The Hurst as Arvon's flagship writing centre.

"We plan to attract writers from all over the world to the place John Osborne described as having 'the best view in England'."