£5 million funding boost for new Heritage Development Trusts to revive unused historic buildings across the UK
The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) have announced three-year partnership programme to save historic buildings.
The programme aims to revive unused buildings and support regeneration in some of the most deprived places and communities.
The new Heritage Development Trusts (HDT) will receive three-year revenue grants between £55k-£70k per annum.
The package will include guidance from consultants and mentors to develop their skills alongside peer-to-peer support to expand their network of contacts, with regular events to share expertise.
They will also be eligible to apply for project viability grants and project development grants.
The programme builds on AHF’s pilot HDT initiative, which supported seven trusts across England with revenue funding, grants and specialist advice.
During the pilot programme, Tyne & Wear Building Preservation Trust worked on regenerating a row of Georgian merchants’ houses in Sunderland’s High Street West.
One house was in severe disrepair and threatened with demolition, but through a partnership, the Trust has transformed the building into a vibrant coffee shop, music venue and bar.
This new long-term partnership will expand the current HDT programme across the UK, to support a range of organisations to develop historic buildings from which they can generate income.
Further information on funding, eligibility and how to apply are available on AHF’s website.
