- Introduction to Sustainable Heritage
- Why Produce a Toolkit?
- The Toolkit
- Case Studies & Useful Tools
- East Riding of Yorkshire Council
- Portrush Town Hall
- North Wales Hospital, Denbigh
- The Shine Centre, Leeds
- Oxford Castle, Oxford
- Castlemilk Stables, Glasgow
- Tower Mill, Heart of Hawick
- Westbury Farm
- The Six Ls of Sustainability
- Applying a standard method to assess the benefits of disposal options
- Social Return on Investment Analysis
- Useful Links
- Glossary
- Download the Toolkit as a PDF
Case Study: Westbury Farm
England
This case study highlights the cost savings that can be made by letting out an asset for temporary purposes until such time as when the asset can be disposed of and a new use identified. Such practices can lower security costs and maintain the condition of the asset preventing it from falling into disrepair because tenants can report any maintenance issues to the owners as soon as they arise.
Westbury Farm is an example of how identifying a temporary use for a heritage asset awaiting disposal can ensure that the asset is kept in good condition while keeping holding costs to a minimum, delivering value for money in the interests of the taxpayer.
Background
Westbury Farm is a 17th century timber framed farmhouse with brick infill and is Grade II listed. Milton Keynes Development Corporation (MKDC) compulsory purchased the farm and farmhouse for development purposes with the intention to develop the site out as part of the masterplan for the new town of Milton Keynes. The farmhouse and land surrounding it today remain undeveloped in the south-west of Milton Keynes and are now in the ownership of the successor of MKDC, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
MKDC were approached by the Silbury Group, an artist led not for profit organisation, to lease the farmhouse for use as artist studios. MKDC at the time were keen to promote art in Milton Keynes so to encourage artists to move to the new town, and the provision of artist studios at Westbury Farm was seen as an important step in achieving this aspiration.
Lasting outcomes
HCA has continued the arrangement which sees the farmhouse occupied rather than left vacant and vulnerable, resulting in reduced security and general holding costs while ensuring that the farmhouse remains in good condition.
Leasing the farmhouse to the Silbury Group has meant that any problems in regards to repairs and general maintenance requirements are reported to the HCA as and when they arise, preventing repair and maintenance issues escalating in terms of cost and scale as a result of such issues not being identified quickly enough. All of these benefits deliver value for money in the interests of the tax payer, as well as resulting in a sustainable temporary use for the farmhouse that benefits the local community.
A disposal strategy for the farmhouse will be identified when the land surrounding the farmhouse comes forward for development. As the farmhouse has been well maintained then it is unlikely that there will be any conservation deficit, making the asset more attractive to potential purchasers.
Key learning points
- By identifying an appropriate temporary use for a heritage asset public bodies and local authorities can make significant cost savings as a consequence of reduced security and general holding costs for what otherwise would be a vacant building.
- Many heritage assets lend themselves to community uses, and as such the temporary use of heritage assets for community purposes helps to address the needs of the local community.
- Identifying a temporary use for a heritage asset ensures that any urgent repairs and general maintenance requirements are reported to the landlord quickly, preventing repair and maintenance issues escalating in terms of cost and scale.
