David Start, Director of the Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire, explained: "These buildings were recently compulsorily purchased by East Lindsey District Council and they were then passed on to the Heritage Trust. We have owned the buildings since the end of November 2004. We were sold them for a nominal sum on the understanding that we will repair them to a high standard. When the repair is completed they will be sold on the open market. Their new use will be as offices or shops, although we will favour a use that maximises public access. No profit will be made on the work - if the sale price is more than we have estimated, any surplus must be returned to the funders."

 

"These buildings were listed by English Heritage because of their historical significance. They have been judged to be important to the town, and to be in danger because of their state of repair. There are limited ways in which they can be used because of access, parking, and other constraints. But the Heritage Trust is in a unique position to help with such projects - in fact, that is one of the reasons the charity exists."

 

"The contract for the building works has been awarded to a Lincolnshire firm. Once the work is under way, we intend to hold at least one open day (a 'hard hat' day) in order that local people and other interested parties can see the building and see how we are getting on. There is a great deal to do, and the building works will take most of the year, but at last the patience of Horncastle people will be rewarded."

 

The Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire is the charity partner involved in plans to rescue and restore the derelict buildings at 7-13 Bridge Street, Horncastle. When the Trust was created back in 1988 one of the requirements was that it should be a Building Preservation Trust. These Trusts (there are 125 of them in England) take on the restoration of historic buildings, which, for a variety of reasons, have become commercially unviable. A building, which would cost substantially more to repair than it is actually worth, is commercially unviable. There are now several special Lincolnshire buildings that owe their continuing survival to the work of Heritage Lincolnshire.

 

Until now the policy of Heritage Lincolnshire has been to avoid comment on claims and speculation about the future of the Bridge Street project. This is because the Trust has been putting together a package of funding which would allow these listed properties to be preserved. The buildings are considered a significant part of the historic townscape of Horncastle. For some time the Trust has been concerned at their derelict nature of the site and the danger that, one way or another, the buildings could be lost. The unique character of many market towns is being destroyed because the old buildings at the heart of the community are being pulled down and are being replaced by inappropriate new developments.

 

David Start said: "Building Preservation Trusts are able to access special loans and grants which allow them to repair the buildings at no cost to the local economy - indeed the influx of grants to local architects and building firms is a positive boost to the local economy. The funding in question will come from sources, which are earmarked for this kind of project. The funding is not going to come from Council Tax, or other forms of public funding, which might be used in Horncastle in some other way. It would be quite wrong for anyone to suggest that the council-tax payer is to bear the cost of this project. We have managed to obtain funding through the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Regional Development Fund."

 

"There are many buildings that we would like to see restored and given a new lease of life. Bridge Street is only one of many examples of heritage in danger. We can only take on restoration projects when funding is available. In this case we have identified potential funding partners and are now in a position to repair these buildings and bring them back into use. I think we all need to reflect on the charm and character of Horncastle's wonderful old buildings. There is no way that we should let these disappear without an effort to save them for future generations. No new building, however well executed, will make the same contribution to the atmosphere and townscape that makes Horncastle one of the jewels of Lincolnshire. At last we can get to grips with the eyesore of Bridge Street and transform it into a riverside landmark, a pleasure for residents and visitors to see."

 

 

Director, Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire

 

Telephone: 01529 461499