Round One to Kelso
Tuesday, October 30 2007
The Heritage Lottery Fund has announced that an application for a Kelso Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) submitted by Scottish Borders Council, was successfully awarded a “Stage One Pass” of the application process with a grant of £700,000 being set aside.
Kelso had to compete with many other applications across the whole of the United Kingdom and is one of only six such schemes awarded a pass in Scotland this year. The Council has previously obtained similar funding for the Heart of Hawick THI, which has now been completed.
The Council and its partners now have a year to develop the proposals further for a Stage Two submission to the Heritage Lottery Fund. A Stage One Pass does not guarantee funding, but it is an indication of positive support and that the money for the scheme is set aside.
Councillor Alec Nicol, Chair of future KELSO, said: “I am delighted to hear of the success of this application at Stage One. Future KELSO worked closely with the council in gathering evidence to support this bid. There is now a year of work behind the scenes to ensure that the necessary match funding is secured and the best possible Stage Two application is submitted.”
The proposed Kelso THI would cover the central part of the Kelso town centre conservation area. It will provide grant aid for building repairs, restoration of original architectural features, reuse of buildings, infilling of gap sites and upgrading to The Square and central streets. If all the remaining match funding can be secured and the Stage Two submission is approved, then the earliest that the scheme would start would be April 2009 and it would last for a period of five years.
Councillor Carolyn Riddell-Care, Executive Spokesperson for Planning and Environment, commented: “Kelso is one of the ‘jewels in our crown’ with the largest concentration of listed buildings in the Borders, as well as its Georgian Square, Abbey and riverside setting. Although the buildings appear to all be in good condition, there is a backlog of essential repairs in many properties and also opportunities for restoration of original features. The Kelso THI will present an opportunity for owners to be supported by a grant scheme to repair their properties and also to set in place a regular maintenance scheme.”
Councillor Vicky Davidson, Executive Spokesperson for Economic Development, added: “This good news is the result of some very hard work by the Planning and Economic Development Department in drawing together a detailed and ambitious bid for funding. Protecting and enhancing the built environment in our small towns is vital to the economic well-being of the whole area and this lottery scheme is one way in which positive support can be offered.”
Unified Solutions.