Efforts to regenerate numerous parts of Glastonbury are continuing to move forward – despite reports that several elements had been cancelled.

Glastonbury was one of 101 towns across the UK – and one of only two in Somerset – which has received funding from the government's towns fund, with £23.6m being provided for projects designed to enhance the town centre and improve the town's fortunes.

Of the 11 projects which were originally identified for government funding, ten are currently at various stages of delivery – with the proposed Glastonbury enterprise and innovation hub on Beckery Road being scrapped due to rising costs.

Local reports suggested that two other projects within the town deal would not see the light of day – namely the Glastonbury clean energy project (which will see renewable energy generated across the town) and the 'enabling project' to create new travellers' pitches on Porchestall Drove.

Somerset Council and the Glastonbury town deal board have now jointly confirmed that these two projects are still very much in the picture – with further updates expected to be provided later in the year.

Councillor Liz Leyshon, who represents the neighbouring Street division, revealed in mid-June that the council would not be able to create a travellers' site on Porchestall Drove as intended due to extensive flooding issues.

But the town deal board has dismissed any notion that this project – and the Glastonbury energy project – will be cancelled as a result of this turn of events.

In a joint statement with the council, the board said: "The enabling project [travellers' provision] is continuing, although the planning application for Porchestall Drove has been withdrawn following very significant flooding of the council-owned land last winter.

"The council is in the process of moving forward on identification and purchase of alternative land outside the flood zone.

"As we have stated before, the costs of construction have risen considerably and that has impacted such plans all over the country. Some projects have been successful in raising additional funds, some have reduced the scope of the project in order to remain within budget."

Following the scrapping of the enterprise and innovation hub, the town deal board is expected shortly to receive permission from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to reallocate the funding for this project to others within the town deal.

All funding for each of the projects must be spent in its entirety by March 2026, unless an extension can be agreed with the government.

Construction is currently under way at three town deal sites – the Glastonbury Sports and Leisure Hub on Oriel Drive, Glastonbury Abbey and St. Dunstan's House (with both the latter two lying on Magadalene Street).

Janet Bell MBE, director of Glastonbury Abbey, said: "The town deal project has provided a wonderful opportunity to develop our visitor entrance into one that truly reflects the abbey's historical, archaeological and spiritual significance.

"While the current facilities will be refurbished and expanded, the surrounding entrance area will be opened up into a community space complete with sympathetic landscaping, informative displays and free access to St. Patrick's Chapel.

"The site has come a long way since building contractor Qube began work on the project in March, and it has been very exciting to watch the entrance's transformation take shape.

"We look forward to welcoming our visitors, both old and new, upon its completion."

Initial work is also under way at the food and regenerative farming centre site on Porchestall Drove, and work is due to begin shortly at the Baily's Buildings on Beckery Old Road.

Marie-Claire Henon, the project deputy representing the food and regenerative farming centre, said: "Now into our second year on the land at Bridie's Farm, work is well under way to put down the roots of the Glastonbury food and regenerative farming centre.

"Including an official change of use for the organic site, to extend from purely agricultural usage, and encompass educational usage too, we have the go ahead to develop the space for exploring our connection with food and nature locally in this wonderful setting.

"Our ever-growing and dedicated community volunteering group meets weekly on the land and have been enthusiastically getting stuck into establishing the growing infrastructure, while the pilot forest school sessions have been successful for school and home education groups alike."

An open day at the farming centre site will be held on September 22 and will include a scarecrow trail.

One of the other projects within the town deal – the regeneration of the Red Brick Building – was officially "paused" by council officers in early-June following reports that certain suppliers and tradespeople associated with the project had not been paid "since March".

Councillor Ros Wyke, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, said: "As the accountable body for the Glastonbury town deal, Somerset Council is responsible for the proper use and administration of town deal funding.

"The role also requires us to report to the government on areas covering expenditure, progress, risks, outputs, and outcomes.

"As has already been reported, building work on one of our projects, The Life Factory, to restore Building C of the Red Brick Building, has been paused at present while a thorough and independent audit is carried out.

"We need to be assured that the governance and financial management is appropriate for the project."

For more information about each of the town deal projects, click here.