When the economy is depressed it can be extremely difficult to justify expenditure on redundant historic buildings, as public budgets are greatly constrained and property end values can exceed refurbishment costs. Local authorities continue to have statutory responsibilities to seek solutions to heritage at risk however, and there are often opportunities for partnership working with the private and voluntary sectors to unlock seemingly intransigent problems.
Private owners understand all too well the risks of leaving historic buildings empty. Mothballing or meanwhile uses may be required to protect investment, alongside the preparation of development plans to create ‘oven ready projects’ for when the economy picks up. The National Planning Policy Framework introduced in 2012 has put more emphasis on the need to understand the significance of heritage assets that may be affected by new development, and placed the onus on developers to help planning authorities in assessing the potential impact of proposals on neighbouring heritage assets.
Creative Heritage Consultants provide cost effective, practical advice at all stages of historic building regeneration projects, with creative solutions for all situations.
Services include:
- Proposals for creative re-use of redundant listed buildings
- Feasibility studies, options appraisals and market assessments
- Heritage Impact Assessments for development proposals within or near heritage assets
- Heritage project management
- Statements of significance
- Conservation Management Plans and Management & Maintenance Plans
- Grants advice and application
- Community consultation
- Capacity building and mentoring
- Advice on asset transfer
- Business strategies for economically viable long-term use of heritage assets
- Delivery plans and procurement advice