Buxton High Street Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ)
The HSHAZ is a £95 million nationwide government funded programme, which is being delivered by Historic England. The HSHAZ initiative will run until 31st March 2024 and its aim is to breath new life into our town centre, making the high street a more attractive, engaging and vibrant place to live, work and spend time.
Buxton was selected as one of more than 60 towns across the country to receive a share of the grant and has secured £926,700. Historic England have announced a further £100,000 has been awarded to the HSHAZ Cultural Consortia. The HSHAZ programme will support the repair and reinstatement of historic shop fronts, support a diverse cultural and educational programme designed to celebrate our high street; and give the local community a key role in deciding what works and what you want to see happening in our high street.
Buxton Spa Town HAZ Area map [271KB]
Buxton HSHAZ information leaflet [566KB]
What can we fund?
All buildings within the HSHAZ area of eligible for grant funding of 75% towards conservation-led repairs and restoration as follows:
- Shopfronts: Restoration or repair of traditional shopfronts based upon historic evidence.
- Upper Floors: Repair and restore the external façade of upper floors and provide a 'conservation uplift'. An example of this would include the repair and restoration of traditional joinery details to window openings.
- Architectural Details: Repair and restore external architectural details such as canopies, intricate and bespoke rainwater details and stone corbels and cornices.
- Other: Repairs to the external envelope of buildings such as roofs, chimneys, leadwork, and walls.
Please note: Grants will not be offered for routine maintenance, redecoration, internal repairs or works that involve the reversal of alterations that are themselves of quality and interest.
Who can apply for a grant?
The owner or tenant of a building within the HSHAZ area could apply for a grant. The person who is applying for the grant needs to be the person who has legal responsibility for the repair of the building. This could be the building owner or a tenant with a repairing lease. If a tenant does not have a repairing lease, a joint application could be submitted with the building owner. In which case the tenant could be the point of contact and could receive the grant funding.
Cultural Programme
Drawing on the success of the success of the Buxton HSHAZ Pilot Project 'Capturing a Moment' an exciting cultural programme has been designed by the Cultural Consortia which will deliver a programme of vibrant events and activities to celebrate the cultural heritage of our high street. The programme will draw our community together in and around Spring Gardens to connect, enjoy, participate, meet up with friends and family and have fun on our high street.
Community Engagement Plan
Community engagement is critical to the development of the HSHAZ project. Representatives from Vision Buxton, Buxton Town Team, Buxton Civic Association, Connex: Street by Street, Buxton HSHAZ Cultural Consortia and Buxton Central Ward Members have come together to form the Buxton HSHAZ Community Engagement Steering Group. The Steering Group will be working together to further develop and manage the delivery of a detailed Community Engagement Plan.
Heritage Schools Programme
We are working with Historic England's Heritage Schools programme to design and deliver an educational package to our local schools which is specifically designed to help our children develop an understanding and appreciation of our local heritage.
Further advice
If you have any questions or if you would like to discuss potential works to your building, please contact:
Lisa Hooley, Heritage Action Zone Officer
Email: buxtonHAZ@highpeak.gov.uk
