- Introduction to Sustainable Heritage
- Why Produce a Toolkit?
- The Toolkit
- Case Studies & Useful Tools
- Glossary
- Download the Toolkit as a PDF
Step 11: Work in partnership
Rather than rely on the planning system to ensure that the heritage asset is converted for a use that the planners will find acceptable and with adequate attention to design, local authorities could retain far more control over the buildings by working collaboratively with private sector developers, the voluntary sector and the local community throughout the disposal process. This is particularly true where there is no obvious purchaser or developer, or where new ideas are needed to unlock the potential value of the building.
In such cases local authorities could identify and work with a developer who has a track record in sensitively restoring heritage assets back into productive use and have a structured sale of the land. The full sale and ownership transfer would be conditional on the scheme being worked up to a design that meets everybody's requirements and has the requisite statutory consents. Since listed and heritage assets often require a change of use, it means that the risk to the developer is reduced and the land value increased, allowing that increased value to be reflected in the scheme. In return, the developer should be prepared to work on a completely open book basis, with profits agreed in advance, and an overage agreement for any additional return. Alternatively the local authority and developer could create a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) as a mechanism to jointly take forward the re-development of a heritage asset, with agreed roles and responsibilities.
The Shine Centre in Leeds is an example of how a vacant heritage asset can be transformed and brought back into use for the benefit of the community. Not only has the project been a success it is also acting as a catalyst for the regeneration of the wider area.
Oxford Castle is an example of how a heritage asset owned by a local authority can form part of a successful redevelopment programme, brought about by successful partnership working. This case study explores how and why the partnership was successful in delivering the regeneration of the castle and the wider area, and highlights the unrealised potential many local authority owned heritage assets have in providing major financial and social returns.
