The West Dunbartonshire Council submitted an expression of interest last October and is currently finalising its application for funding for town centre heritage related improvements. The Heritage and Place Programme, H&PP for short, is “an area-based funding programme that aims to contribute to the development of vibrant and sustainable places in Scotland, through community-led regeneration of the historic environment. It supports the development and delivery of heritage focused schemes within conservation areas, or alternatively distinctive heritage areas with local authority recognition” (HES).
This is is a Historic Environment Scotland funding initiative which is expected to be run with match funding from other sources such as the the National Lottery Heritage Fund's Grants for Heritage and also from the local authority itself. Utilising these combined sources could give the programme locally as much up to £12.64 million aimed at both development and delivery phases.
The project proposes 4 key strands of activity within Dumbarton Town Centre including key historical assets, public space improvement together with shop front regeneration, raising of awareness including education and skills development and connectivity. Dumbarton has a very strong case to make and it is anticipated that this application will be successful.
The Dumbarton Stations Improvement Trust commissioned a Conservation Management Plan some years ago utilising funding from the Council's Common Good Fund and this both emphasises the crucial role of Dumbarton Central Station within the historic fabric of the town and provides an excellent framework to implement restoration and improvements to it. The Council is currently completing its Connectivity Project from this station towards the town centre and this in turn sets standards for urban improvements around and between historic buildings or other heritage related features. Another initiative of note is that to do with Glencairn Greit House and its proposed restoration and extension to form a library, museum and community centre. While that is independent of this H&PP, it nevertheless complements and supports it.
The H&PP for Dumbarton focusses on the designated Dumbarton Town Centre Conservation Area. Dumbarton Central Station forms not only the gateway into the town centre itself, but is the most important feature at one end of the crescent shaped Conservation Area. As it sweeps around towards the Leven we find 13 buildings buildings of great significance,11 on High Street as well as one each on Church Street and College Street. Some of these are listed, while others have been proposed for listing following adoption of the Conservation Area Appraisal.
The H&PP will take on some of the roles of a CARS (which may run in tandem with it). A CARS is a Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme whereby an environment is restored and improved in liaison with individual property owners who will be given grants towards such work.
Central Dumbarton is a fascinating historic environment that has suffered somewhat from the incremental affects of changing social and market trends as well as neglect, but it still retains an amazing amount of great value. The implementation of conservation and regeneration objectives within any town is a lengthy and ongoing process. So while we cannot expect miracles, this new initiative is expected to contribute a great deal to its regeneration. Those with an interest in the town's future and in its heritage should patiently watch the media for the next stages.
This has been compiled by Jeremy Watson after meeting with the relevant Planning Officer handling the H&PP application. Anyone wishing to find out more about the Conservation Area can find it here : Dumbarton Town Centre Conservation Area Appraisal - 2023/24 (west-dunbarton.gov.uk)
