07.04.04
North Kerrier Integrated Area Plan Team Secures £450,000 From Objective One

Investment for the Redruth Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme (HERS) has been confirmed by Objective One. The £450,000 contribution from Objective One will be matched by other contributions from English Heritage, Kerrier District Council, Cornwall County Council, Redruth Town Council and the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.

It has taken two years for the scheme to be developed by the Planning, Regeneration, and Finance Services at Kerrier District Council assisted closely by the Redruth Vision & Strategy Regeneration Group. The scheme will make investment available for high quality traditional repairs on targeted buildings in the town centre Conservation Area. The whole scheme should result in a total of over £1.8 million being invested in historic buildings and includes significant contributions from private property owners.

Mike Horrocks, Community Economic Development Officer and Andrew Richards, Conservation Officer both from Kerrier District Council, started work on the proposals back in 2002.

Mike said: "There is a massive amount of work that goes into planning and funding schemes like these. Right from the start we took the decision to involve local people as much as we could, and although that increases the time it takes to get things up and running, it generates a much more widely supported project that is easier to make a success of."

Andrew Richards, Conservation Officer said: "The scheme will finance high quality traditional repairs to historic buildings in the conservation area. It will build on the success of previous historic grant schemes in the town and will compliment other current initiatives such as the town centre improvement programme."

Cllr John Woodward, Portfolio Holder for Economy & Regeneration added: 'The buildings in the town centre of Redruth reflect its wealth and importance in the mining era. This is one project which will help towards restoring the economic prosperity of the town without changing its character.

Cllr Mike Clayton, Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Planning endorsed these comments and added: "I am very supportive of this initiative as supporting, improving and finding new uses for historic properties that meet the economic and housing needs of the District is a key objective of the Planning Service."

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership said "Every town has its own special character and that character can play an important role in underpinning its economic vitality. As part of its strategy the Programme is investing in our key towns as drivers of prosperity. By investing in the historic fabric of Redruth we are not only conserving part of our historic environment but Objective One is helping give the area a new lease of life in commercial terms and, thereby, bringing the benefits of Objective One investment to local people and businesses."

A presentation evening for people to find out more about the scheme will be held in late April.

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Editor's notes:

The Camborne Pool Redruth Urban Regeneration Company and English Heritage, have provided quotes for your use if required:

Dr Tim Williams Chief Executive of CPR Regeneration added "This has been secured by good partnership working between the local authority and URC partners. This is a key URC Action Plan project. We said we would deliver the Action Plan, and we will."

Tim Johnston, Assistant Regional Director for English Heritage said: "HERS have demonstrated that they can be a real catalyst for the economic regeneration of our historic towns. English Heritage is delighted to have contributed £300,000 over three years to the Redruth scheme, which will help enhance the distinctive character of the town."

Contact for further information:

Andrew Richards
Conservation Officer
Tel: 01209 614388
Email: conservation@kerrier.gov.uk

Amanda Cock
Press Office
Tel: 01209 614350
Email: marketing@kerrier.gov.uk

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Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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