Hastings Borough Council has successfully got through the first stage of a bid for money to do up properties in the town which are in a bad state of repair, under the Townscape Heritage Initiatives scheme (THI).
Heritage Lottery Fund could award £1m to the town over three years, as long as the Council can match the funding with a further £1m and specify important buildings which would be included in the scheme.
the Council has set aside £450,000 towards the match funding, East Sussex County Council has been invited to contribute and officers are investigating opportunities for further match funding under SRB 6 and Objective 2. the Council will also be looking to tie in the THI with other Council led initiatives in central St Leonards such as Empty Homes Grants, Living Over the Shop (LOTS), and local bus corridor highway improvement schemes. the Initiative will involve working closely with the St Leonards town centre management service to upgrade the commercial heart of the town.
the Initiative will give owners of important buildings along St Leonards seafront, Warrior Square, London Road, Kings Road and Norman Road, the chance to apply for a grant of between 50 and 75 per cent of the cost of repair and improvement works. Buildings not included in the Action Plan will not be eligible for a grant.
the action plan will target:
- buildings of historic interest
- buildings in a poor or declining structural repair
- community buildings and houses in multiple occupation
- underused or vacant space
- buildings where a discernable improvement to the area could be made
the action plan will be submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund next year and a final decision on whether the bid has been successful will be made in May 2001.
Council Leader Jeremy Birch, said: “This is part of the revitalisation of Hastings & St Leonards and is recognition of the quality and character of our seafront buildings.
“This ties in really well with the ‘get tough’ approach that we have adopted towards owners who have allowed their properties to fall into disrepair. Regeneration of our buildings raises the whole image and esteem of our town and its attractiveness to visitors.
“It is not just about bricks and mortar, this is about the quality of life for our residents.”
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This page last updated: 03/01/2001