Today, Harvey’s Foundry Trust has been awarded £3.7 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to complete the 10 year regeneration of Hayle’s 18th century Harvey’s Foundry.
This new £3.7million will enable the Trust to save the final buildings on the site, transforming two Grade II listed buildings into 18 high quality office units with the capacity to create over 80 new jobs for the town.
The project will also enable the Trust to run an apprenticeship scheme in traditional building techniques during the construction period, which will be delivered in partnership with Cornwall College. A wide range of learning and community activities will also connect the site with over 2,000 residents and visitors to the town.
Part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, Harvey’s Foundry was established in 1779 and for over 200 years was renowned for Cornish ingenuity and engineering excellence. During the Industrial Revolution, it powered heavy industries ranging from mining to ship-building. Unfortunately, as the Cornish mining industry collapsed the company went into decline. In the early 1900’s it was closed and the site was subsequently divided up and sold off. As the fortune of Hayle demised, so did the site with buildings being abandoned and subjected to arson attacks.
Today, the site has benefitted from a regeneration programme spanning 10 years that has seen it transformed into a vibrant hub housing 40 businesses creating over 150 local jobs. This HLF grant completes the funding package for this £4.7 million redevelopment that also has been received support from English Heritage, Garfield Weston Foundation and the Headley Trust.
Today’s money has been awarded through HLF’s Heritage Enterprise programme. It is designed to help when the cost of repairing an historic building is so high that restoration simply is not commercially viable. Grants of £100k to £5million bridge the financial gap, funding the vital repairs and conservation work needed to convert derelict, vacant buildings like those at Harvey’s, into new, usable commercial spaces that can have a positive impact on local economies.
Ben Greener, HLF’s Historic Environment Advisor, said:
The regeneration of Harvey’s Foundry is a real success story. It demonstrates how – with enthusiasm, vision and investment – historic buildings not only provide inspirational spaces where enterprise can thrive, but also make a positive impact on local economies across the UK. With Heritage Enterprise, HLF is helping with the high costs of restoring vacant and underused heritage buildings – making them fit-for-purpose as commercial spaces and providing an economic boost to those places that need it most.
Brian Capper Chair of Harvey’s Foundry Trust said:
This is great news and just reward for our staff, consultants, volunteers and board members who have worked hard for nearly four years to bring this project forward and raise the funds for Phase 3 to proceed. On behalf of the Board of Trustees I thank the Heritage Lottery Fund and English Heritage for their confidence in our ability to deliver such a large project and look forward to building work commencing soon.
John Pollard leader of Cornwall Council said:
This is the final section of the regeneration of Foundry lane and the Harvey’s Foundry Complex. Congratulations to the Trust in securing a funding package which will not only provide jobs and support the Heritage centre but importantly take two historically significant but derelictbuildings and create a modern and vital useage for them. I have been involved in this project since the late 1980’s and the successful delivery of this project is the culmination of all our ambition and hopes – brilliant!!
For more information about Heritage Enterprise and see a short film, visit www.hlf.org.uk. For more information on the project and the Trust, please call Laura Christon on 01736 757683.
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