Applicant: East Ayrshire Council
Location: Newmilns
Grant awarded: £1.7 million
Grant programme: Townscape Heritage Initiative
Type of heritage: Historic Buildings & Townscape
Benefits: Regeneration of Newmilns historic Main Street; economic and social benefits associated with new housing and office space.
Background to the project
Newmilns is a small town located in the Irvine Valley. A busy main road linking Kilmarnock with Stathaven, East Kilbride and Edinburgh runs through the town. The aim of this five year project was to stimulate economic, environmental and social regeneration in the historic heart of Newmilns, which had suffered long-term deterioration. The development of the town of Newmilns can be attributed to the increasing importance of weaving; most houses had a loom by the end of the 18th century. Newmilns grew rapidly in the 19th century due to the success of light manufacturing industries, principally lace making, and because it was served by good road - and later rail - connections.
The subsequent decline of lace making in the town, due to the effects of the two wars and the intervening depression and growing competition from overseas, led to a decline in the fortunes of Newmilns. Town centre buildings fell into disrepair and an aura of dereliction and depression led to historic properties becoming uninhabitable, roofless or being demolished.
The surviving town centre buildings have significant architectural merit but many original features were damaged or missing. The layout of the town centre and varied form of the architecture provide interesting townscape views in most directions.
The Townscape Heritage Initiative encourages partnerships to regenerate the historic environment in our towns and cities. In Newmilns, the THI was a partnership between East Ayrshire Council, the Irvine Valley Regeneration Partnership, the Heritage Building Preservation Trust, Strathclyde Building Preservation Trust, Shire Housing Association and Hanover Housing Association.
What did the project involve?
Five vacant historic buildings were restored and converted into housing and two gap sites were redeveloped into housing and office space with innovative new build projects. The Kirkgate Gardens were restored, helping to further improve the appearance of the town. In addition to this, eleven other buildings were improved through the provision of small grants to private owners under the Reinstatement of Architectural Detail Scheme. This scheme assisted local residents and businesses to reinstate timber sash and case windows and traditional shop fronts.
What difference did the project make?
The project created 48 additional residential units (eight houses, three maisonettes and 37 flats) and provided 390m² of new office space. Independent evaluation of the NTHI has confirmed that the project has been extremely successful in achieving its aims of regeneration for Newmilns and there is evidence that it has been the catalyst for a renewed sense of civic pride and perhaps even a feeling of optimism in the community.
(Main Street - Before and after)
Main Street - Before and after the project
Newmilns THI has been successful in winning several awards. The project as a whole recently received a Commendation for Outstanding Performance and Quality in Development on the ground, under the Scottish Awards for Quality in Planning 2004. The new build at the former Covenanters Car Park, named Murdoch Nisbet Court, designed by Page and Park Architects won both a Saltire Award and a Civic Trust Award for its design. The restoration of Brown’s Institute and the restoration of properties at 73-77 Main Street and 24-28 High Street, developed by the Heritage Building Preservation Trust, has also obtained a national award from the Georgian Group for the ‘Best Restoration of Georgian Buildings in an Urban Setting’.
Deadlines for THI applications
Applications for THI projects are assessed in two stages by HLF. All Stage One applications are assessed as a batch with decisions taken in October each year. Applicants who receive a Stage One Pass are invited to submit a worked up Stage Two application within 12 months. A Development Grant of £25,000 is awarded to help applicants work up the Stage Two bid.
To find out whether the THI scheme is right for you please contact the Scotland HLF office.