Photo: a flag shows the site where the fate of the country was decided over 500 years ago. © Leicestershire County Council.

Plans to create new visitor facilities at the historic Bosworth Battlefield and Country Park have been boosted by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

Managed by Leicestershire County Council, Bosworth was the site of the decisive final battle of the Wars of the Roses. On August 22, 1485, the future Henry VII defeated Richard III, uniting the country and launching the Tudor dynasty.

The council has now been awarded a Project Planning Grant of £31,500 to carry out essential studies ahead of a main application for £1.8 million.

It is hoped that with a further application, the Heritage Lottery Fund will help pay for the revitalisation of the battlefield with enlarged and improved visitor facilities.

Photo: studies will assess the potential audience as well as the environmental impact of new plans. © Leicestershire County Council.

Ernie White, Leicestershire County Council Cabinet Lead Member for Community Services, explained what the grant means for the historic site.

"I am delighted to hear that Bosworth Battlefield has been awarded this grant," he said. "It will enable some important development work to begin on this exciting project."

"Bosworth is a nationally important battlefield site and I look forward to seeing our revitalisation scheme provide the centre that its significance and interest deserves."

Plans are in place to build a larger and more interactive visitor centre at the site with living history displays, a new classroom facility for the 6000 school children that visit each year and to create improved battlefield trails.

Photo: while visitor facilities already exist at the site, the local council's plans aim to bring in even more people. © Leicestershire County Council.

A new buttery is also planned, replacing the existing temporary building with the frame of a 14th century church tithe barn.

The initial phase of funding will be used to carry out Conservation Management and Audience Development Plans, both of which will help ascertain whether or not the plans are viable.

Current visitor numbers will be used to assess the potential size of the site's new audience and ways to attract new visitors. The studies will also examine its historic value and explore any environmental considerations.

While opportunities for public appreciation of the battlefield will be looked at, recommendations for the conservation of the landscape will be made.