The project would see the Victorian glasshouse at the industrial site restored and transformed into a state-of-the-art facility for young people with special needs.

Ruskin Mill Education Trust (RMET), which already runs Glasshouse College in Stourbridge, is leading the project. Glasshouse College teaches glassmaking skills to young people with learning and behavioural difficulties.

The money has been earmarked for the project by the Heritage Lottery Fund, while further details are worked into the proposal.

"Everyone at the Glasshouse is delighted to have such strong support from the Heritage Lottery Fund," said Janine Christley, Head of Development at RMET. "We feel this is a real recognition of the hard work of the Trust and a shot in the arm for the regeneration of the Stourbridge Glass Quarter."

The glasshouse site is an old crystal glass-making factory with a history of glassblowing going back continuously to 1691. It was bought by RMET in 2000 and is now one of the last traditional glassmaking sites in the region, and one of only a handful of centres in the country.

The International Festival of Glass is held at the centre every two years in August, promoting glassmaking in Europe.

"Preserving this rapidly disappearing heritage is vital not only to the local community but it honours the global reputation that Stourbridge used to enjoy," continued Janine. "May those times return again soon."

The much-needed HLF grant will help to turn the old buildings into a new arts centre and workshops for small businesses, with heritage trails and facilities for visitors. A volunteer training programme and heritage education programmes will also be instigated, while the therapeutic craft curriculum will be inspired by the ideas of Rudolf Steiner, William Morris and John Ruskin.

Further funding is being sought from Advantage West Midlands and the Learning and Skills Council for building works, which are expected to cost up to £16million.

"It's fantastic to see such a project where the partnership between conserving heritage and furthering community development and education is so strong," commented Anne Jenkins, Regional Manager for HLF West Midlands.

The grant has been given a 'Stage One Pass', meaning the money has been set aside for the project in question and indicates positive support. It is not, however, guaranteed, until a further two stages are passed.