English Heritage in partnership with the Communities and Local Government‘s Asset Transfer Unit is preparing guidance in response to the Quirke Review which encouraged local authorities to transfer surplus or underused property to community groups.
It is supported by the Architectural Heritage Fund, the Prince’s Regeneration Trust and National Trust and the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The new guidance, Our common heritage: transforming liabilities into assets, is aimed at anyone disposing of or taking on heritage assets. It will help promote successful and sustainable outcomes by signposting existing advice and illustrating examples of good practice – for all types of heritage assets, including historic buildings and public open spaces. Issues to be addressed will include stock surveys, specialist advice, feasibility studies, risk assessment, project development and funding.
Nicholas Falk, Director of URBED, the not-for-profit urban regeneration consultancy undertaking the guidance, says: “We need to understand the conditions when the opportunity to transfer heritage assets to community groups are right and when not and to document examples of successful handovers that may go back many years”. If you can contribute experience, advice or suggestions for case studies, please would you let URBED know by the end of February at c.farrell@urbed.com
