“Thanks for your help on this project. The Conservation Officer praises your report.”
Our expert knowledge and creative skills cut through complexity and deliver practical solutions for both private and institutional property owners.
Understanding your perspective: budget-savvy project delivery
We understand the immense pressure you face in delivering high-value projects to deliver public benefit within budget constraints, and for a partnership approach to heritage management and placemaking.
Our collaborative and accountable approach values your inputs whilst freeing you from the strain of management responsibilities – allowing you to focus on your core work. We have delivered heritage assessments and projects to agreed timescales.
We create opportunities for local group involvement while managing expectations and communicating those time and budget constraints that are a reality for all. By partnering with us, you can overcome the hurdles created by budget constraints and ensure the successful delivery of quality heritage projects.
How we can help: supporting your heritage and community goals
We understand the complex balance required to deliver impactful heritage projects with limited budgets and resources. Our collaborative approach incorporates your expertise and assists you with project completion to meet your expectations and through community engagement. With our technical knowledge, we regularly provide
- Heritage assessments to support planning policies and sustainable development
- Community initiatives to foster engagement and enhance placemaking
- Project management to coordinate efforts across regions and jurisdictions
- Help with grant applications and legal consents to maximise access to financial support
- Heritage design for historic places
Our support and promise to deliver: budget realities guide our processes
Step 1 We balance competing priorities and limited resources while managing community expectations and timescales.
Step 2 Our work helps to promote your project delivery by increasing voluntary and community engagement and by coordinating community workshops and consulting stakeholders that also raise awareness of your profile.
Step 3 We deliver heritage plans, surveys, and area assessments within agreed budgets to deliver efficiency and cost-effectiveness
Outcomes
Community heritage projects are rewarding and cost-effective whether they are undertaken to enhance sustainable development or are community-driven. Cultural heritage brings communities together through funding to reach heritage and conservation goals.
Further support
We fill the void that the withdrawal of direct conservation management causes, enabling authorities to still provide the cover and complete the work.
Cross-local authority and cross-county boundary planning require a review of technical documents to ensure consistency and adherence to support sustainable development. With our proven track record of assessing planning policy documents, we can help you to achieve this.
Case studies of previous projects
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- Historic Area Assessments
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- Historic building surveys
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- Appeals
Why choose us?
Our passion for heritage combined with project management excellence allows us to enhance preservation in a cost-sensitive manner.
Let us handle the details – freeing you to focus on big-picture goals
Past projects demonstrate our capabilities in delivering robust strategies, and facilitating community workshops, educational initiatives, and enhancement schemes.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How do we unlock funding?
These are the following key funding opportunities available for charities collaborating with local communities to make heritage sites more accessible to the public:
1. The Wolfson Foundation’s Funding for Historic Buildings & Landscapes
The Wolfson Foundation provides grants ranging from £15,000 to £100,000 for conservation and restoration work, interpretation, and education spaces at heritage sites. Eligible applicants include registered charities and local authorities that manage sites of outstanding historic, architectural, and cultural significance with a clear emphasis on public access and engagement.
2. Historic England’s Everyday Heritage Grants
Historic England’s Everyday Heritage Grants program provides funding of £6,800 to £25,000 for community-led projects that celebrate working-class histories and connect people to historic places that are often overlooked or underrepresented. These grants can support creative projects that reveal untold stories, engage local communities, and enhance the understanding and enjoyment of diverse heritage.
3. Other potential funding sources
Charities may also explore funding opportunities from other grant-making bodies, such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund, charitable trusts, and local authority heritage funds, that have a focus on improving accessibility and community engagement at heritage sites.
Crowdfunding campaigns and community investment schemes could also be viable options to raise funds for accessibility-focused initiatives.
Specific types of funding are available to support activities or heritage originating in a particular period. For example, those managing churches may find the following helpful – The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme and National Churches Trust.
Those managing Georgian properties may find the following helpful – The Cleary Fund and Historic Houses Foundation.
Do you know any examples of funded projects?
The following examples illustrate how local authorities can successfully manage heritage sites by fostering collaborative partnerships with local communities, empowering grassroots initiatives, and building the capacity of community organisations to take an active role in the conservation and regeneration of historic assets.
1. Scotswood Urban Regeneration (Newcastle)
The Scotswood Urban Regeneration project in Newcastle aims to transform a run-down urban area by creating a new sustainable community, involving the delivery of 1,800 new homes, schools, retail, leisure, and community facilities.
This project demonstrates how local authorities can work collaboratively with the community to regenerate historic areas and preserve local heritage.
2. Brixton Solar One (London)
Brixton Solar One is a community-led urban solar power project located on the Loughborough Estate in London, involving the installation of PV panels on the estate’s rooftops to generate clean energy for residents.
This example showcases how local authorities can support and empower community-driven initiatives to repurpose and activate heritage assets for the benefit of the local population.
3. Heritage Development Trusts
The Heritage Development Trust model, developed by the Architectural Heritage Fund, enables local people to come together with local government, businesses, charities, and other stakeholders to reimagine and repurpose heritage buildings that are important to their communities.
These community-based partnerships demonstrate how local authorities can facilitate and support grassroots efforts to manage and revitalise historic assets.
4. Historic England’s Capacity-Building Grants
Architectural Heritage fund (PDF document)
Historic England’s grant programs provide funding for capacity-building projects that help strengthen the skills, knowledge, and resources of local authorities and community organisations involved in heritage management.
This support from local authorities, in collaboration with heritage bodies, enables more effective community engagement and empowerment in the stewardship of historic sites.
How charities and local authorities can take a more holistic and strategic approach to making heritage sites more accessible and inclusive for the public?
The following 5 suggestions derive from parliamentary discussions in 2023. Read the original parliamentary report here.
1. Developing Strategic Plans for Conservation and Regeneration
Local authorities should work with heritage organisations to prepare strategic plans that integrate heritage conservation and regeneration efforts in a way that contributes to broader community development goals.
This can help ensure accessibility and inclusion are embedded into the long-term vision and planning for historic sites.
2. Building Local Capacity and Expertise
Initiatives like Historic England’s grant programs for capacity-building projects can help strengthen the skills, knowledge, and resources of local authorities and community organisations.
Investing in training, knowledge sharing, and professional development is crucial for developing the necessary expertise to manage and enhance accessibility at heritage sites.
3. Fostering Collaborative Partnerships
Charities and local authorities should work in close partnership with a range of stakeholders, including local communities, businesses, and other organisations.
This collaborative approach can help leverage diverse perspectives, resources, and expertise to address accessibility challenges more effectively.
4. Embracing Digital Transformation
Embracing digital technologies and skills can enable heritage sites to enhance virtual access and engagement, making them more inclusive and accessible to wider audiences.
Initiatives like the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s “Digital Skills for Heritage” program can support this digital transformation.
5. Ensuring Organisational Sustainability and Resilience
Charities and local authorities need to focus on the long-term sustainability and resilience of heritage sites, which can help ensure continued accessibility and public engagement.
This may involve diversifying revenue streams, strengthening governance, and building organisational capacity.