Derwent Valley Mills - World Heritage Site

The recognition of the importance of the Derwent Valley Mills by inscription as a World Heritage Site presents a major opportunity for developing visitor-led regeneration. For the communities to benefit from investment from visitors it needs to be maintained as an attractive historic environment.

Owners of buildings within the World Heritage Site may be eligible for grants towards external structural repairs, reinstatement of lost external architectural detail and bringing vacant floorspace into use. At present there are two area grant schemes operating in the World Heritage Site. A Partnership Scheme in Conservation Areas (PSiCA) is operating in Cromford and Belper & Milford. English Heritage operates grants for historic Buildings, Monuments and Designed Landscapes http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.1120

Partnership Schemes in Conservation Areas (PSiCA)

Heritage Regeneration Schemes provide grant assistance to property owners in Conservation Areas to promote economic regeneration. This particular scheme concentrates on the village of Cromford and the commercial core of Belper and the Strutt mill workers' housing in Belper and Milford.

What does the Scheme aim to achieve?

• Rescue of under-used or disused historic buildings from neglect and potential damage or demolition.
• Re-use of historic buildings for sustainable, economically beneficial use.
• Reinstatement of lost architectural features.
• Enhancement of the street or village scene.

Is my building eligible and how much grant aid can I expect?

The maps [fig 1] [fig 2] show the buildings [fig 1a] [fig 2a]  in the respective areas that could benefit from a grant. Targeted buildings are the main historic buildings in poor repair or which have lost architectural detail.

Grants for 'repair' will normally be at a level of 60% for buildings in commercial use and 60% for properties solely in residential use. Grants for the 'reinstatement of lost architectural detail' will normally be at a level of 75% and at 80% for environmental enhancement.

What works are eligible?

Generally only repairs to the original structure or the reinstatement / restoration of lost detail are eligible, such as work to roofs, chimneys, chimney pots, rainwater goods, brick and stonework, render, windows and doors, boundary walls and gates. Internal repairs are only eligible where they are directly related to external repairs or are essential to the preservation of the building, for example, the eradication of dry rot. In exceptional circumstances, redecoration can be included if it is considered necessary as a result of an eligible repair.

Extensions, alterations, face-lifts and day to day maintenance are not eligible. Eligible and non-eligible work may well form part of the same programme, but the costs should always be kept separate.

Fees for professional advisors in connection with the building works are eligible for grant assistance and the involvement of suitably qualified, registered or accredited professionals is encouraged. The Partnership officers can advise on the level of fees that are eligible.

How do I apply?

For more information or an informal discussion about your
proposal, and an application form, please contact:

Paul Warren, PSiCA Partnership Scheme Officer
Derbyshire County Council
on 01629 539803

OR

Mark Askey, PSiCA Partnership Scheme Officer
Derbyshire Dales District Council on 01629 761360

Rachael Coates, PSiCA Partnership Scheme Officer
Amber Valley Borough Council on 01773 841582

or go to:-

http://www.derbyshire.gov.uk/environment/conservation/grant_schemes/default.asp