Arts Council England (ACE) has awarded the Arvon Foundation a £1.65m grant as part of its 'anti-recession' Sustain programme to strengthen the resilience of arts groups.

The Shropshire-based organisation will use the funding towards the redevelopment of The Hurst in Clunton, the former home of playwright John Osbourne. It is hoped the project will provide writers with a new resource, while also helping to reduce the organisation's long-term costs and carbon footprint.

Arvon Foundation chief executive Ruth Borthwick said: "The Arts Council's grant launches Arvon's fundraising campaign aiming to raise £3.3m 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."