The Scottish Government

Name

Ruth Findlay

Job title

Organisation

South Lanarkshire Council

Address

Montrose House, 154 Montrose Crescent, Hamilton, ML3 6LB

Telephone

01698 455943

Fax

01698 455948

Email

ruth.findlay@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

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Development Plans Development Management Development on the Ground Community Involvement

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Douglas Townscape Heritage Initiative

Professional knowledge Innovation Management Sustainable development

Partnership Community interest Regeneration Customer satisfaction

Douglas Townscape Heritage Initiative ( THI) project required innovative solutions to deliver successfully a small grants scheme for owner occupiers to undertake repair and reinstatement works to their properties to preserve the historic fabric of the village. The Douglas THI is an unique project due to the nature of the scheme which provided grants to private property owners rather than targetting a single landmark building. The buildings to benefit from grants included residential, commercial and community properties thus spreading the funds across a wide rang of building types, uses and conditions. The project also produce a homeowners' guide that has educated and encouraged property owners to maintain their buildings with many owners doing additional works outwith the grant scheme.

Following approval of the application to HLF in Oct 2004, the Douglas THI was launched in February 2005. The project posed many challenges, the most fundamental being, to ensure that the grant scheme was financially accessible to the community. A Character Appraisal was prepared to identify key areas where the THI could concentrate it efforts and ensure best value for the grant fund. A part-time THI Officer was employed to manage the project from the outset however take up on grants was slow to begin with and through reviewing the issues, a full-time THI Officer was employed in 2006, to assist in developing an original approach. Basing the THI Officer in Douglas at least 2 days a week and approaching potential grant beneficiaries on an individual basis played a huge part in turning the project around.

Doug as THI objectives:

• to assist with the regeneration of the village through grant aiding repair and reinstatement works to properties within the THI area (which was part of the conservation area)
• contribute to positive conservation and restoration of its historic buildings
• to ensure the best use of the fund for the village and achieve full spend of the £820,000 fund
• target priority buildings that would make a significant contribution to the townscape within the village and that were in need of repair.

In May 2000 SLC made a proposal to HLF for a THI for Douglas. A revised Stage 2 bid was made in Oct 2002. Following approval of the application from HLF the Doug as THI was launched in April 2004 which seen the publication of the homeowners' guide. The initial grant scheme arrangements lead to a slow up take of grants. One of the measures to address this was to take the risk to pay for Condition Survey for any interested property owner and this proved to be a catalyst to encourage grant take up. Grant application deadline was November 2006 to ensure full spend of the fund was achieved within the timescales. Works to individual properties began on site in June 2005 with the remaining grants completing works to their properties in July 2008. A Newsletter was issued regularly to up the community on the THI.

At the launch of the grant scheme information packs were distributed informing owners - what is the THI, eligiblity requirements, next steps/contact details, and also grant application forms. Information Packs were available for download via the SLC website, where there was a section that provided an update on progress. In Feb 2005 an evening talk/presentation was given by Scottish Lime Centre Trust on the bespoke booklet 'Douglas, A Future from the Past' (a practical guide to conservation in the village). Copies of the booklet and practical advice were available throughout the THI period. A THI Forum was set up which included THI Officer, SLC Officers, HLF representative and two Douglas residents. This provided a transparent forum to discuss issues and make decisions on grant applications as they were received.

Key Partners included SLC Planning, Development Management, Building Standards, Conservation Officers, Douglas THI Officer, property owners in Douglas THI area and the forum members. Other funding partners alongside SLC were HLF and Scottish Coal. The Planning Officer's role involved developing the project from the outset through making the application to HLF, and project managing the financial and conditional aspects of the project on a ongoing basis. The THI Officer was a key player through providing a pro-active approach and support to potential applicants. The Officers contribution was vital as they encouraged applicants, helped them overcome obstacles in the grant application process, negotiated between the parties involved and provided much needed support during and after the works.

• 100% take up of grant to achieve fundamental improvements to the fabric of many properties in Douglas
• £700,000 leverage from THI spend
• THI has provided a platform for the community to take forward ideas and proposals to enhance their village and historical assets
• Educated the community in the value of maintaining their property using conservation and traditional skills
• "Delighted to see the transformation of so many buildings in Douglas" - Judith Williamson, Devonhall Associates (Agents for HLF)

The journey from the submission of the HLF application to the transformation of buildings has been a challenging process and required a number of potential stumbling blocks to be overcome through developing innovative approaches, using professional knowledge and skills to project manage the key partners, contracts and financial aspects. The unique nature of this scheme to provide grants throughout the community together with the time, commitment and drive from the SLC Officers and property owners in Douglas to make it a success has been commendable. The changes in buildings can easily be seen in the before and after images however what cannot be seen is the exemplary effort and application of original solutions from the key partners to make this change happen for the better of the community + the historic village

25 August 2008