Restoration plan for Delapre Abbey

Last September I visited Delapre Abbey and the miniature railway in its park.

Today, via the BBC's Northampton pages, comes news of a restoration plan:

Plans for a £3.6m transformation of an 850-year-old abbey in Northampton have been revealed. 

Delapre Abbey could undergo the restoration if the borough council's plans and bid for lottery funding are approved in the summer. 

It is hoped parts of the main abbey would be restored for tours and events, and two stable blocks turned into visitor areas and small business units. 

The work would be completed in phases and should take three years.

No doubt this is for the best, and it would be good to be able to look round the main building. But I liked the slightly ramshackle atmosphere at Delapre and I suggest you visit it before things are improved too much.