Public Realm Works

Grants in this category contribute toward the improvement of public realm to an appropriate conservation standard. This includes urban green spaces, historic surfaces and other townscape features, such as old walls and railings that define historic public spaces, using appropriate natural materials. This may include external works associated with a grant-aided repair project which enhance the setting of a building and the removal of unsightly clutter on buildings and other eyesores which are detrimental to the appearance of the conservation area. Repair work should involve the use of natural materials and traditional techniques so as to match the historic work as nearly as possible.

It does not include routine maintenance, conjectural restoration, the recreation of wholly lost features, modern layouts generated by traffic management or pedestrianisation schemes, the replacement of street furniture, or burying overhead cables.

The grant from the common fund for public realm projects should be limited to the difference between the cost of repair or renewal to normal standards, and the conservation option. We will need to see formal assurances about the maintenance of public realm works from the responsible authorities, and the undertaking of routine maintenance will be a condition of any grant offer.

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