Cornerstones project Lochwinnoch 20 05 25 - AM reviewed
Renfrewshire Council · 20 May 2025
Back to Economy and Regeneration Policy Board — 20 May 2025 and its agenda
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___________________________________________________________________ To: Economy and Regeneration Policy Board On: 20 May 2025 ___________________________________________________________________ Report by: Chief Executive ___________________________________________________________________ Heading: Cornerstones Project, Lochwinnoch ___________________________________________________________________ 1. Summary 1.1 The purpose of this report is to inform members about the funding applications being developed for “Cornerstones: Revitalising Lochwinnoch’s Historical Axes” an area-based scheme which seeks to help regenerate the centre of Lochwinnoch by investing in its built heritage and promoting the history of the village. ___________________________________________________________________ 2. Recommendation 2.1 It is recommended that the Board: (i) Authorises the Head of Economy and Development to submit applications for the Cornerstones project to Historic Environment Scotland’s Heritage and Place Programme and National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Grants £250,000 to £10million Fund. ___________________________________________________________________ 3. Background 3.1 Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) work in collaboration to provide funding support for area-based heritage projects via HES’s Heritage and Place Programme and NLHF’s Heritage Grants £250,000 to £10million Fund.
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3.2 In 2023, Renfrewshire Council received feedback from HES and NLHF on an unsuccessful application for an area-based heritage project focused on the Kilbarchan and Johnstone areas. Funders felt that the scheme area was too big, with a lack of a sufficient concentration of properties in Johnstone, making it difficult for it have an impact. 3.3 Based on that feedback, officers determined that – outwith Paisley Town Centre Conservation Area – developing a proposal for Lochwinnoch Conservation Area had the potential to better align with the outcomes of both funders. 3.4 In response to the launch of the third round of the Heritage and Place Programme, in January 2025 an Expression of Interest was submitted to HES for Cornerstones. A corresponding Expression of Interest was subsequently submitted to NLHF. At the end of February, both funders confirmed the success of the Expressions of Interest and invited Renfrewshire Council to make full applications to their respective programmes for funding to develop the proposal. 3.5 Applications to HES and NLHF for area-based heritage projects are submitted and assessed in stages and are highly competitive. If approved, Expressions of Interest progress to applications for Development Phase funding, which if successful provide funds to support the creation of applications for Delivery Phase funding. ___________________________________________________________________ 4. Proposal 4.1 The centre of Lochwinnoch was developed in the 18th Century as a planned expansion of the older village, organised around three primary axes. Cornerstones seeks to revitalise Lochwinnoch’s streetscape and economy by focusing investment within the conservation area where these axes meet. Repair grants will help preserve Lochwinnoch historic built environment; a parallel programme of community engagement activities will emphasise the value of the village’s heritage, raise awareness of its unique history, and develop local expertise around traditional building skills. 4.2 The scheme area encompasses: • the central section of the Main Street/High Street axis and its junction with the Calder Street/Church Street axis; • the southeast section of the Calder Street/Church Street axis as far as the south corner of Harvey Square; and • the southwest section of the Harvey Terrace/Gates Road axis which terminates with the Parish Church of Lochwinnoch on Church Street. • The area includes 1 x A Listed, 9 x B Listed, and 7 x C Listed buildings plus 18 shopfronts.
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4.3 A draft repair and resilience capital plan would see delivery of: • 1 x large scale major building repair project • 8 x medium scale major building repair projects • 10-15 x small scale building repair projects • 5-7 x shopfront improvements • 1 x enhancement of public realm at Harvey Square 4.4 Cornerstones aims to empower people in Lochwinnoch to shape the place where they live and work. Establishing working partnerships locally, regionally and nationally will be key to the development of the proposal. If funding is secured for the Development Phase (one year period), an Area Partnership (steering group) will be established with stakeholders to finalise an Area Action Plan detailing how Cornerstones will be delivered over a five-year period. ___________________________________________________________________ 5. Timetable 5.1 The deadline for submitting applications to both HES and NLHF for funding for the Development Phase of Cornerstones is 6 August 2025. 5.2 If the applications are successful, the yearlong Development Phase will start June 2026 and conclude in May 2027 with the submission of Delivery Phase applications to both funders. 5.3 If the Delivery Phase applications are successful, it is anticipated that the full Cornerstones project will run from April 2028 for five years. ___________________________________________________________________ 6. Budget 6.1 The total cost of the Development Phase is £105,000. This is based on £45,000 of grant funding from both HES and NLHF and £15,000 from the Council (RC). Half the expenditure will be on staff costs for a dedicated, full- time Cornerstones officer; the remaining expenditure includes delivery of a small number of community engagement activities, a materials audit, and a traditional building skills audit. 6.2 The total cost of the Delivery Phase is estimated to be £2.4million. This comprises £850,000 of funding from NLHF, £750,000 from HES, £600,000 from RC and c. £200,000 from property owners. Most expenditure – c. £1.8million – will be on the repair and resilience capital projects but there will also be meaningful expenditure on training and community engagement activities. Again, this will be delivered by a dedicated, full-time Cornerstones officer. ___________________________________________________________________
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7. Next Steps 7.1 To develop the proposal, officers will consult with the local community, as well as regional and national stakeholders, to: • share their research into Lochwinnoch’s heritage and identify those areas where further research is required • gauge the appetite for participation in Cornerstones and assess the potential for collaboration • ensure that the approach is inclusive and sustainable 7.2 Officers will commission a conservation accredited architect to prepare a character appraisal of Lochwinnoch Conservation Area, the findings of which will help hone the proposed scheme area and identify priority projects. 7.3 Officers plan to take representatives from HES and NLHF on a tour of Lochwinnoch in June. 7.4 Officers will submit Development Phase applications to HES and NLHF by 6 August 2025. ___________________________________________________________________ Implications of the Report 1. Financial – if the Development Phase applications are successful, it is anticipated that £15,000 can be allocated from the Council Regeneration Team’s 2026/27 revenue budgets. Following any successful application an update report would be brought back to Board if additional funding is sought at that stage. 2. HR & Organisational Development – if the Development Phase applications are successful, support will be required to recruit and appoint a temporary Grade 9 member of staff. 3. Community/Council Planning – • Our Renfrewshire is thriving – The project has the potential to support developments which will protect and enhance the built heritage of Lochwinnoch, contributing to the creation of a thriving village centre which support individuals, communities, and businesses. • Reshaping our place, our economy and our future – The project has the potential to help support the restoration of historic buildings in the centre of a Renfrewshire village, improving the built environment, helping to create job opportunities and contribute to economic growth.
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• Creating a sustainable Renfrewshire for all to enjoy - Repairing historic buildings mitigates climate change impacts and aligns with Renfrewshire Council’s Net Zero 2030 goals. • Working together to improve outcomes - The project aims to work in partnership with local, regional and national groups and organisations to achieve positive outcomes. 4. Legal – if the Development Phase applications are successful, some support will be required to draft an Area Partnership Agreement. 5. Property/Assets – improvement of the public realm around the war memorial at Harvey Square is potentially a priority project for Cornerstones. 6. Information Technology – if the Development Phase applications are successful, a new member of staff will require standard ICT hardware. 7. Equality & Human Rights - The Recommendations contained within this report have been assessed in relation to their impact on equalities and human rights. No negative impacts on equality groups or potential for infringement of individuals’ human rights have been identified arising from the recommendations contained in the report because it is for noting only. If required following implementation, the actual impact of the recommendations and the mitigating actions will be reviewed and monitored, and the results of the assessment will be published on the Council’s website. 8. Health & Safety – risk assessments will be required to be undertaken for survey work and community events. 9. Procurement – None 10. Risk - None. 11. Privacy Impact – Not applicable 12. Climate Risk – With cognisance of Historic Environment Scotland’s ‘A Guide to Climate Change Impacts: On Scotland’s Historic Environment, Our Place in Time, 2019’, the potential repair and maintenance of older buildings in Lochwinnoch will contribute to the restoration and repair of Renfrewshire’s historic fabric. 13. Children’s Rights – Not applicable 14. Cosla Policy Position – Not applicable _______________________________________________________ List of Background Papers (a) Appendix A Map of proposed Cornerstones, Lochwinnoch Scheme Area Author: Euan Shearer; Regeneration and Place Manager Email: euan.shearer@renfrewshire.gov.uk
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LEGEND CORNERSTONES AREA CONSERVATION AREA HISTORICAL AXIS LANDMARK GATEWAY A LISTED BUILDING B LISTED BUILDING C LISTED BUILDING N 0 100m