English Heritage, the Government’s statutory adviser on heritage matters, is taking a number of steps to ensure the preservation of Essex’s cultural heritage. These include contributing funding towards buildings repairs—such as £400,000 towards repairs to St. Osyth’s Priory—and securing the future of a number of “buildings at risk”, enabling 44 buildings to be removed from their Register. English Heritage is in discussion with agencies involved in the Thames Gateway expansion, the Stansted airport proposed expansion and proposed wind farm off Maldon. English Heritage is responsible for the management of 11 historic sites in Essex, the largest being Audley End House. English Heritage is a member of the East of England Regional Cultural Consortium and chairs the East of England Heritage Environment Forum.
Since 1994 the Heritage Lottery Fund has made close to 500 awards to the county totalling some £33.5 million to preserve cultural heritage.