image for illustration: Angharad Hart
Historic England (HE) has published its Heritage Led Regeneration Toolkit on how to ‘use the unique and distinctive history and character of local places as a catalyst to revitalise communities and the local economy’.
HE writes:
The aim of heritage led regeneration is to use the unique and distinctive history and character of local places as a catalyst to revitalise communities and the local economy. Historic England has experience of supporting heritage-led regeneration programmes including:
- Heritage Action Zones
- Partnership Schemes in Conservation Areas
This toolkit combines our experience and that of our High Street Heritage Action Zone partners to provide inspiration and advice, and to share the lessons learnt with anyone leading or delivering heritage-led regeneration activities in their local area.
Contents
- Regeneration Approach and Vision
Heritage led regeneration can deliver a diverse range of economic, social and environmental benefits, but what is the right approach for your place?
- Identify Key Buildings and Priorities for Investment
Identify the buildings best placed to kick-start improvements to the area your scheme covers and the building owners who want to take part.
- Collaborate with Stakeholders and Partners
Strong relationships with stakeholders, local building owners, businesses and communities are vital to successful regeneration.
- Involving Local Communities
Involving communities in heritage-led regeneration ensures that projects are culturally sensitive, socially inclusive, and economically beneficial.
- Governance and Decision Making
Set up your scheme with a governance structure that supports efficient decision making by the right people.
- Timetable the Work and Forecast Spending
Plan what you are going to do and when, building in both clear deadlines and costs and some flexibility, should you need it.
- Manage Delivery and Risk
Once you know what’s being delivered and by when, here are ways of adapting or improving your delivery as you roll out your regeneration scheme.
- Running a Grant Scheme
Heritage led regeneration often involves grant schemes, to award funds to owners of historic buildings for their repair, reinstatement or conversion.
- High Street Regeneration Case Studies
Explore a variety of approaches to heritage led regeneration, tried and tested by our partners during the High Street Heritage Action Zones programme.
