03.11.04
£4.1 million improvement programme to restore and enhance historic Hayle

Workers have moved on site at the start of a £4.1 million improvement programme to restore and enhance historic Hayle, powerhouse of the industrial revolution.

Initially, work has begun on the second phase of restoration at Harvey's Foundry. Details of the full programme, driving improvements throughout the town, will be announced in the coming weeks by Europe's top funding partners of built environment projects.

Over four years the town will see 22 buildings improved and public areas enhanced as part of the programme, which has the capacity to create 170 jobs – the first of which will be a Project Officer and Assistant to be based in Hayle, to help people take an active part.

The Mayor of Hayle, Councillor Mrs Marjorie Roberts, said: "This is terrific news for Hayle, for our future. It's involved a huge amount of effort over a number of years, from local people and from the funding partners – whom I must particularly thank for the expertise they have brought to bear to our town. We look forward to continuing our work with them over the next few years. There's a lot happening in Hayle now and I think it's wonderful."

Penwith District Council has developed the programme with its partners the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, the South West of England Regional Development Agency, Cornwall County Council, Hayle Town Council and the EU Objective One programme, together with The Guinness Trust, the Harvey's Foundry Trust and the Hayle Area Forum.

Penwith's Chief Executive, Jim McKenna, said: "This project will give us an unrivalled opportunity to establish high quality design values for Hayle, for future investment, as well as preserving the town's unique historic character. Naturally, we will be seeking to ensure that the project links closely with emerging proposals including those for Hayle Harbour. This is an exceptional example of what can be achieved by true partnership working getting the best of everyone's input and expertise."

Hayle Area Forum developed and up-dated ideas from the Hayle Action Plan then formed a Working Group which has sourced expertise from a wide range of professional disciplines and geographic areas where other projects have been progressed. They will be putting forward these ideas as a starting point for public input in early December.

Phase II refurbishment of Harvey's Foundry focuses on restoring Foundry Farm for living accommodation linked to workshops with a gallery. Work will also be undertaken to safeguard the fabric of other historic buildings within the complex which are known to be at risk of further deterioration.

First phase restoration of Harvey's Foundry, once the focus of ingenuity leading Britain's industrial revolution, was opened in September by HRH The Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall. His Royal Highness visited both parts of Phase I, the restored John Harvey House in Foundry Square and business units at newly built Dowren House in Foundry Lane, again a project developed and led by Penwith District Council.

Both phases benefit from the active support and input of professional skills from The Prince's initiative Regeneration Through Heritage.

COMMENTS:

Development Director of the South West of England Regional Development Agency, Colin Molton, said: "We're delighted we are able to support this initiative. It will greatly improve the quality of a number of sites and buildings in Hayle and I hope that local people continue to become increasingly involved in the shape of things to come."

Project Team member and Penwith District Councillor Owen Philp said: "I'm certainly delighted with news that we have the go-ahead, after working on the project for quite a while now. We hope that we can count on the people of Hayle to take a full part in the project and will have further details for them before Christmas."

Bob Bewley, English Heritage Regional Director for the South West, stated: "We are very pleased to see phase 2 of the regeneration initiative for Hayle go ahead. Our funding for this new phase builds on the work carried out under phase 1 and again is delivered through our Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme programme. The range of activity in phase 2 will deliver a broad range of benefits to Hayle and its community, and help create a sustainable future for the town based on its unique and high profile heritage."

Editor's notes:

The Heritage Lottery Fund has approved the project through its Townscape Heritage Initiative.

The EU Objective One programme has approved the project through the European Regional Development Fund, under Measure 2.

Cornwall County Council is funding this project through its main economic development and Local Transport Plan budgets.

The South West of England Regional Development Agency has assisted through its Market and Coastal Towns Initiative (following Environmental Improvement Programme investment).

As mentioned, English Heritage has funded the project through a second Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme.

Sue Wolstenholme
Objective One Communications
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01579 370991

lmroberts@cornwall.gov.uk

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