Sustainable Heritage Conference

Redundant Heritage Buildings – problem or opportunity?

On the 22nd February we held a joint conference with the Local Government Association (LGA). This focused on the key messages outlined in our 14 step toolkit for asset management, which aims to provide a structure for the sustainable disposal of redundant sites. The conference took place at St James’s Palace and attracted 150 delegates from the public, private and third sector.

HRH gave a motivational key note speech on the importance of working together and the benefits of heritage regeneration. Other speakers included Baroness Andrews from English Heritage, John Penrose MP, Minister for Tourism and Heritage, Baroness Eaton from the LGA, David Tomback from English Heritage, Ross Brodie from Gladedale Estates, Cllr John Pollard from the Harvey’s Foundry Trust and Ros.

Our toolkit for Asset Management can now be downloaded as a PDF from our website

Presentations from the day can be downloaded from the
LGA website

Scottish Launch of The Green Guide for Historic Buildings - Palace of Holyrood House

HRH The Prince Charles Duke of Rothesay addressed an audience of historic building and environmental practitioners, funders, public and private sector bodies, building preservation trusts and property specialists at the Palace of Holyroodhouse on Friday 4th June 2010 at our event to launch our new publication: The Green Guide for Historic Buildings.

Mr Stewart Stevenson MSP, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change delivered the keynote speech. Tom Morton, Principal of ARC Architects spoke of the restoration and refurbishment of the Old Logie Schoolhouse in Angus, as an example of a successful low carbon project.

HRH Duke of Rothesay talked of the importance of preserving the country's historic buildings.

"It's local people who really value these places hugely but they feel powerless to do anything about them," he said

"But once something is done, nine times out of 10 or more, the value can be extracted from those sites in a remarkable way. We can demonstrate we can lead the way in Scotland on all this because Scotland has such a wonderfully rich heritage. Much of it, I regret to say, has been wasted but now really is a chance not to do so."

HRH The Duke of Rothesay Visits Stanley Mills

HRH The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, visited our completed project at Stanley Mills in Perthshire, Scotland on Tuesday 1st June 2010 to see first hand the successful and award-winning regeneration work completed by The Prince’s Regeneration Trust and Historic Scotland.

The visit was hosted by Mr John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Sustainable Growth.

Commenting on the visit, Mr John Swinney said:

“Partnership work between The Prince’s Regeneration Trust and Historic Scotland has transformed Stanley Mills into homes and an internationally recognised visitor attraction.

All along the way they have been supported by former workers and the people of Stanley, with mill employees shaping the visitor experience and groups such as the Stanley Women’s Rural Institute helping to make the project a success.

I am delighted to host today’s visit from His Royal Highness and recognise the achievements of this magnificent regeneration project.”

HRH toured the Mid and East Mills and was invited into the home of Mr John MacGuire, one of the residents of the new apartments, to view the interior conversion. HRH and Mr Macguire then joined other residents of Mid and East Mills on the terrace to discuss the regeneration work and to admire the views afforded across the River Tay.

Click here to watch a video of the visit including an interview with Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The Prince's Regeneration Trust and the speech from HRH The Duke of Rothesay

London Launch of The Green Guide for Historic Buildings

The London launch of The Green Guide for Historic Buildings on 22nd April 2010 was an overwhelming success, thank you to Dan Snow for hosting the evening which was attended by many of our colleagues from the heritage, property and environmental sectors.

In his speech, Dan highlighted the great, untapped potential of our historic building stock to contribute to a greener, more energy efficient future. The measures undertaken needn’t be invasive and expensive, often small and simple changes can have a significant impact whilst retaining the special character of the building.

View an interview with Ros Kerslake Chief Executive of The Prince's Regeneration Trust and Dan Snow below.

We are receiving extremely positive feedback on the Guide so far, for more information or to purchase a copy please see our publications page.