Caracterización general

The historic prosperity of the North West region evidence has resulted in the creation of buildings of heritage interest. There are 25,537 listed entries in the North West representing 6.7% of the total assets on the listing register (Historic England, 2016a). Liverpool, it is reported, contains the 2nd largest collection of listed buildings in the United Kingdom.

Urban heritage regeneration projects look to have formed an element of the region’s regeneration policy. The regeneration of heritage assets has been described as forming a core element of the successful regeneration of Manchester city centre (Kellie, 2014). Kellie continues that a number of heritage assets have been viewed by private sector development companies as assets rather than liabilities. These buildings have provided the opportunities to invest into the area where creative and innovative development could be undertaken. Stratton (2000) claimed to have assessed the impact of engagement in industrial heritage regeneration and subsequent effect on the local economy and environment. The author states that participation in industrial heritage regeneration is a key element to unlock the economic and cultural potential of a city.

Maeer and Campbell (2009) studied 17 heritage case study projects as part of their research into the effectiveness of the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI). The THI is a grant programme funded by Heritage Lottery Fund for areas that have heritage assets in need of maintenance and repair. They cite the on-going regeneration of the Ropewalks area of Liverpool, and claim the regeneration has, to date, attracted £10 million of private sector investment, regenerated sixteen heritage assets, brought derelict land back into use and created 70 new jobs. With the presence of derelict buildings, the Ropewalks area has been considered by Maaer and Campbell (2009) to be a mixed-use community for existing local residents and new visitors to the city (Labadi, 2008.)

Figure 22: Alma de Cuba, Ropewalks Liverpool.

Source. Copyright John Turner 2011 and licenced for re-use.

Abu Dhabi United Group is a development organisation working in partnership with Manchester City Council, via a joint venture partnership arrangement, Manchester Life. An element of the partnership includes the proposed regeneration of a heritage asset mill complex, Murrays Mill, Ancoats, Manchester. Formerly a stalled regeneration project that has received public sector funding (Heritage and Regeneration, 2009); the Abu Dhabi United Group is regenerating this large collection of heritage assets. This development aims to regenerate the large listed complex of heritage assets into residential accommodation This project provides evidence of heritage investment in the region by public and private sector organisations.

Figure 23: Murrays Mill, Manchester.

The economic structural adjustment within the region looks to have provided regeneration opportunities for private sector development organisations. The increase in cultural tourism in areas of the region has generated a demand for additional tourism facilities such as hotels and other leisure facilities. Heritage regeneration projects have been completed involving the private sector development companies in Liverpool City centre. Recently completed projects include the heritage asset Base2stay (now Nadler hotel), Shankly Hotel, former Martins bank and Arthouse square regeneration projects (The Mayor of Liverpool, 2016). This highlights that opportunities may exist for private sector development organisations to engage in urban heritage regeneration when the local economic context appears to be conducive to development.

Figure 24: Base2Stay (now Nadler Hotel), Liverpool.

Source. Own Author.

There is evidence of implementation of governance to facilitate heritage regeneration in an apparent area of low value and low real estate demand (HWBPT, 2011) in the region. Lob Lane Mill project, Nelson, Lancashire demonstrates an example of the governance strategy of governance by partnership. To facilitate heritage regeneration the local authority entered into partnership with a local construction contracting company. Using a local asset backed delivery mechanism, the local authority contracted with the private sector company who acted as investor, development partner and main contractor on the project. HWBPT (2011) describe that the heritage asset project was delivered in phases and allowed for the delivery of a comprehensive heritage led regeneration project. This project provides evidence of completion of

heritage regeneration located in an area with apparent low demand and low real estate values.

Figure 25: Lob Lane Mill, Lancashire.

Source. IWA project architects and authorised for re-use

The legacy of the historic economic importance of the region and the subsequent structural economic changes has resulted in a number of heritage assets becoming obsolete. These buildings have remained derelict or vacant and require repurposing for new uses and have to date been unable to attract private sector development organisations to participate in urban heritage regeneration projects. The London Road fire station in Piccadilly, Manchester has remained in private ownership for many years and is currently derelict. Despite being subject to a change of ownership in 2015, there has been considerable debate about the apparent lack of progress on redevelopment. It has been claimed that the derelict heritage asset may have affected regeneration of this area of the city centre (Manchester City Council, 2014).

Figure 26: London Road Fire Station, Manchester.

Historic England publishes an annual Buildings at Risk register, initiated in 2008 to highlight the condition of the historic environment in the United Kingdom. The purpose of the register is to identify buildings at most risk, requiring safeguarding for the future. It has been claimed that the number of buildings contained on the Buildings at Risk register has reduced by 33% since 2010; however 463 northwest entries still remain on the list. This represents 8.5% of the overall total of buildings at risk in the United Kingdom (Historic England 2016b). The diversity of the entries on the Buildings at Risk register looks to be considerable with 95 grade 1, 2 and 2* buildings placed on the current risk register, including Ancoats Hospital, Manchester.

Figure 27: Ancoats Hospital. Manchester.

Source. Copyright David Dixon, 2011 and licenced for re-use.