Hawick Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme
Hawick Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) is a partnership project we have developed in conjunction with a community based Hawick CARS Steering Group. The group successfully obtained funding from Historic Environment Scotland (HES) in April 2019 for a heritage led regeneration project for Hawick town centre.
Hawick CARS is focused on a range of heritage and conservation based regeneration activities within the town centre over a six year period (2019-2025).
The project has an overall budget of just over £1.5m, funded by HES (£1.315m), the South of Scotland Enterprise (£60k) and ourselves (£200k) and will run until 31 March 2025.
The main aim of the Hawick CARS is to support the repair of traditional buildings (pre-1919) within a defined area of the town using appropriate traditional methods of construction.
The scheme provides grants to property owners to undertake repairs and restoration to accepted conservation standards. Grants will be awarded in a series of rounds with funding in the range of 50%-75% of eligible costs (up to a maximum of £15k) with owners required to provide match funding of the remaining amount.
Opportunities for upskilling of local building trades in conservation techniques as well as the development of community heritage projects will further compliment the Hawick CARS project.
What will the project support?
Hawick CARS is made up of four distinct components, each with their own budget and targets, which will offer the community a variety of ways to become involved with the initiative:
Priority Building Grants
Grants for repairs and restoration of specific properties identified by the Hawick CARS Steering Group as being located in prominent positions and currently having an adverse impact on the town centre due to their condition or appearance.
General Repairs Grants
Grants for repairs and restoration of traditional properties within the Hawick CARS Boundary.
Education and Training Initiatives
Community based projects to increase the knowledge and awareness of the history and rich heritage of the Royal Burgh and opportunities to enhance existing construction skills in appropriate conservation techniques and to encourage conservation related careers.
Public Realm Improvements
Contribution to a programme of works developed by ourselves as part of the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme associated with the repair and enhancement of the arrival point of the James Thompson Bridge at Mill Port.
How can I apply for a repair grant?
Hawick CARS launched in October 2019 and is a five-year programme, extended due to COVID-19 until 31 March 2025. Applications for funding are being sought in a series of competitive rounds. Funding will be allocated against a set of eligibility criteria with each application scored against:
- the Need for Repair
- Impact within the Conservation Area
- Quality of Repair
- Habitable Status
- Project Deliverability
Applicants must appoint a suitably qualified professional agent, experienced in works to repair traditional buildings to accepted conservation standards, for any project seeking grant funding in excess of £5k. Potential building contractors who carry out the works should also be appropriately skilled/experienced in the type of works identified in the application to enable eligibility for funding.
The Hawick CARS team can be contacted by email HawickCARS@scotborders.gov.uk. Applicants must discuss potential submissions and their proposals with the CARS team prior to submitting their formal application for funding.
Newsletter
A regular newsletter is being produced by the Hawick CARS project team. Find the latest edition online.
Further information and register interest
For general information about Hawick CARS or specific information about the grant scheme or the skills training and heritage education programmes contact Hawick CARS online.
Doors Open Days
We’re participating in Doors Open Days 2022 on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September. Download the self-guided walking tour leaflet to discover more about the Priority Buildings and other buildings the CARS is supporting.