Forres Conservation and Heritage Scheme to apply for £3.3m of funding
The Forres Conservation and Heritage Scheme has completed its development phase and is applying for a five-year investment funding programme worth £3.3m.
This place-based regeneration initiative aims to conserve, repair and enhance the historic character of the Forres Conservation Area, which will place heritage at the centre of local town centre regeneration and stimulate investment. The Development Phase has been supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and by Historic Environment Scotland through their Heritage and Place Programme.
The programme aligns with the objectives of the Forres Town Centre Improvement Plan (FTCIP) and would help to deliver key building repairs, public area improvements, shop front scheme, building health checks, and heritage projects.
A collaborative partnership management group was established to steer and support the development of the Forres Conservation and Heritage Scheme and will continue to work alongside a number of working groups that have formed during the development phase of the project.
These include groups looking at ways to explore new operating models for the Falconer Museum, create a heritage quarter and general improvements in the area. Although not funded by the scheme, they will continue to run in parallel to ensure a collaborative approach.
Funding applications will be submitted in August with the outcome due in December 2024.
Council Leader and Forres Ward member, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “As a member of the partnership management group I’ve seen first-hand the appetite for recognition of Forres as an outstanding area of conservation. We have some great stories to tell about our heritage and I look forward to seeing the groups pushing the agenda forward go from strength-to-strength. The council is fully supportive of the efforts to secure funding to make these dreams a reality and it will give the town a great boost if successful.”
Chair of the PMG, George Alexander, added: “There’s something for everyone, with increased opportunities for collaboration and connection, both for those who have and have not been involved with heritage before. I hope that after all this work in preparing the plan, we are successful with the funding applications and can get started on delivering it with the energy and enthusiasm the Forres community is renowned for.”