article_snippet.sent: The Abbey, which lies at the heart of Britain's only World Heritage city, was granted planning permission for the unique £18million scheme two years ago.
article_snippet.sent: Engineers plan to excavate ancient crypts below the vast medieval church using ancient underground springs to tap into a Roman drain where 850,000 litres of natural spring water empties every day into the ground.
article_snippet.sent: Church leaders believe the plans would provide a unique source of green energy for The Abbey, which lies at the heart of Britain's only World Heritage city and help the 10th century building reconnect with the city's Roman roots.
article_snippet.sent: An artist's impression of plans for The Abbey, which lies at the heart of Britain's only World Heritage city shows how the ground will be excavated to create the heating system, new work space and song school .
article_snippet.sent: The modern elements of the system would be hidden underground and an archaeologist will be working alongside the engineers to document any objects that may be uncovered by the excavation.
article_snippet.sent: Two years ago, Bath Abbey rector Edward Mason said: ‘These are ambitious plans which would allow us to capture an incredible and ancient natural resource which is currently being wasted.
article_snippet.sent: A new work space could be created beneath the ground under the plans to excavate parts of Bath Abbey .
article_snippet.sent: An illustration of the city from above is shown .