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Case Study: Edinburgh World Heritage
08-10-2024
A CASE STUDY BY CHRIS KRIEGLER
Edinburgh’s rich architectural heritage is a testament to its history and cultural significance. However, maintaining these historic properties can be both financially and logistically challenging. To address these challenges, Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) offers grants that help property owners preserve the historical character of their buildings. With the assistance of Novoville's technology, the process of discovering and applying for these grants has become more accessible and streamlined for homeowners. This case study explores the experience of Felicity, a homeowner at 62-64 St Mary’s Street, Edinburgh, who successfully secured an EWH grant to fund essential repairs and preserve the historic integrity of her property.
Felicity’s primary motivation for applying for the EWH grant was the significant financial burden of the repairs required on the building. She sought funding assistance to carry out the necessary repair, as the costs of maintaining a historic property can be overwhelming. Additionally, the grant provided the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive survey of the roof area, which was crucial in identifying underlying issues that needed attention.
Reflecting on the process, Felicity said: “It seemed a sensible idea even if we didn’t get the funding in the end.” The potential to access financial support outweighed any initial reservations, demonstrating the importance of accessible funding options for property owners facing substantial restoration costs.
Felicity first learned about the EWH grant through the Novoville Shared Repairs app, which serves as a valuable resource for property owners in Edinburgh. Novoville’s platform simplifies the process of finding information about heritage grants, offering homeowners a direct link to resources like EWH. While Felicity didn’t complete the application process herself, she confirmed that someone else handled it, highlighting the collaborative nature of securing these grants.
Although the application process wasn’t described in detail, it underscored the value of having clear, accessible platforms like Novoville to connect homeowners with the necessary resources.
Initial interactions with the EWH team were slow, which caused some frustration for Felicity. Given the urgency of the required repairs, the delay added a layer of stress to the process. She explained, “Initial contact was very slow and frustrating as we knew we needed to get on with things.” However, once communication was established, the EWH team, particularly Jane and Silke, provided significant support throughout the approval process. Their guidance was instrumental in navigating the complexities of securing the grant, showcasing the importance of a responsive and supportive heritage organisation.
Felicity acknowledged that EWH’s involvement was crucial in helping her secure the funding and proceed with the necessary repairs.
The grant had a transformative impact on Felicity's property at St Mary’s Street. It enabled a thorough and sympathetic restoration, going beyond just addressing the immediate issue. The survey, funded by the grant, revealed additional repairs that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. Without the grant, Felicity may have only completed minor repairs, leaving underlying problems unresolved. She reflected,
“The funding also made it easier to convince the owners that it was the right thing to get everything sorted in one go.”
The financial support from the grant also played a key role in convincing the other owners in the building to undertake all the necessary repairs simultaneously, ensuring a comprehensive restoration. This holistic approach not only safeguarded the building’s structural integrity but also preserved its historical character for future generations.
The EWH grant significantly eased the financial burden on Felicity and the other property owners. By providing funding and offering flexible repayment options, such as spreading costs over ten years, the grant made it feasible for owners to contribute to the repairs. This flexibility is particularly important for homeowners who may not have the upfront capital required for such large-scale restorations.
Felicity also noted that without the grant, it would have been much more difficult to gain consensus among the owners for completing all the required repairs at once. The financial support fostered collaboration and ensured the building was restored in a manner that respected its historical significance.
Although the restoration work may cause some short-term disruption in the community, the long-term benefits of preserving the building far outweigh the temporary inconveniences.
While Felicity does not own other properties in Edinburgh, she expressed confidence that other owners would consider applying for similar grants in the future. The success of this project demonstrates the value of the EWH grant programme in supporting large-scale, historically sensitive restorations.
Felicity offered simple but important advice to others considering applying for a grant:
“It has to be worth giving it a go as there is nothing really to lose.”
This sentiment speaks to the accessibility and potential benefits of the EWH grants, especially when the application process is streamlined by platforms like Novoville Shared Repairs.
The collaboration between Edinburgh World Heritage and Novoville has proven invaluable in helping homeowners like Felicity preserve the city’s historic properties. For her property at 62-64 St Mary’s Street, the EWH grant enabled a comprehensive and historically sensitive restoration that might not have been possible otherwise. By easing the financial burden and fostering collaboration among property owners, the grant has ensured that another piece of Edinburgh’s architectural heritage remains intact for future generations.
As a tool for homeowners, Novoville Shared Repairs played a key role in making the grant more accessible, further solidifying the platform's importance in supporting the preservation of Edinburgh's rich cultural history.
Motivation for Applying
Felicity’s primary motivation for applying for the EWH grant was the significant financial burden of the repairs required on the building. She sought funding assistance to carry out the necessary repair, as the costs of maintaining a historic property can be overwhelming. Additionally, the grant provided the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive survey of the roof area, which was crucial in identifying underlying issues that needed attention.
Reflecting on the process, Felicity said: “It seemed a sensible idea even if we didn’t get the funding in the end.” The potential to access financial support outweighed any initial reservations, demonstrating the importance of accessible funding options for property owners facing substantial restoration costs.
Discovery and Application Process
Felicity first learned about the EWH grant through the Novoville Shared Repairs app, which serves as a valuable resource for property owners in Edinburgh. Novoville’s platform simplifies the process of finding information about heritage grants, offering homeowners a direct link to resources like EWH. While Felicity didn’t complete the application process herself, she confirmed that someone else handled it, highlighting the collaborative nature of securing these grants.
Although the application process wasn’t described in detail, it underscored the value of having clear, accessible platforms like Novoville to connect homeowners with the necessary resources.
Working with Edinburgh World Heritage
Initial interactions with the EWH team were slow, which caused some frustration for Felicity. Given the urgency of the required repairs, the delay added a layer of stress to the process. She explained, “Initial contact was very slow and frustrating as we knew we needed to get on with things.” However, once communication was established, the EWH team, particularly Jane and Silke, provided significant support throughout the approval process. Their guidance was instrumental in navigating the complexities of securing the grant, showcasing the importance of a responsive and supportive heritage organisation.
Felicity acknowledged that EWH’s involvement was crucial in helping her secure the funding and proceed with the necessary repairs.
Impact of the Grant on the Property
The grant had a transformative impact on Felicity's property at St Mary’s Street. It enabled a thorough and sympathetic restoration, going beyond just addressing the immediate issue. The survey, funded by the grant, revealed additional repairs that would otherwise have gone unnoticed. Without the grant, Felicity may have only completed minor repairs, leaving underlying problems unresolved. She reflected,
“The funding also made it easier to convince the owners that it was the right thing to get everything sorted in one go.”
The financial support from the grant also played a key role in convincing the other owners in the building to undertake all the necessary repairs simultaneously, ensuring a comprehensive restoration. This holistic approach not only safeguarded the building’s structural integrity but also preserved its historical character for future generations.
Financial and Community Benefits
The EWH grant significantly eased the financial burden on Felicity and the other property owners. By providing funding and offering flexible repayment options, such as spreading costs over ten years, the grant made it feasible for owners to contribute to the repairs. This flexibility is particularly important for homeowners who may not have the upfront capital required for such large-scale restorations.
Felicity also noted that without the grant, it would have been much more difficult to gain consensus among the owners for completing all the required repairs at once. The financial support fostered collaboration and ensured the building was restored in a manner that respected its historical significance.
Although the restoration work may cause some short-term disruption in the community, the long-term benefits of preserving the building far outweigh the temporary inconveniences.
Future Considerations
While Felicity does not own other properties in Edinburgh, she expressed confidence that other owners would consider applying for similar grants in the future. The success of this project demonstrates the value of the EWH grant programme in supporting large-scale, historically sensitive restorations.
Felicity offered simple but important advice to others considering applying for a grant:
“It has to be worth giving it a go as there is nothing really to lose.”
This sentiment speaks to the accessibility and potential benefits of the EWH grants, especially when the application process is streamlined by platforms like Novoville Shared Repairs.
Conclusion
The collaboration between Edinburgh World Heritage and Novoville has proven invaluable in helping homeowners like Felicity preserve the city’s historic properties. For her property at 62-64 St Mary’s Street, the EWH grant enabled a comprehensive and historically sensitive restoration that might not have been possible otherwise. By easing the financial burden and fostering collaboration among property owners, the grant has ensured that another piece of Edinburgh’s architectural heritage remains intact for future generations.
As a tool for homeowners, Novoville Shared Repairs played a key role in making the grant more accessible, further solidifying the platform's importance in supporting the preservation of Edinburgh's rich cultural history.
