Heritage Action Zone
Heritage Action Zones are Historic England initiatives intended to ‘…unleash the power in England's historic environment to create economic growth and improve quality of life in villages, towns and cities.’
Historic England work with local people and partners (including local authorities) through joint-working, grant funding and sharing skills to help:
- Restore historic buildings and put them back into use
- Improve conservation areas to kick-start regeneration
- Recognise ‘unsung’ places for their unique character and heritage.
Heritage Action Zones need to meet the following criteria:
- They should be delivered through a partnership that could consist of public, private and third sector organisations.
- They should include at least one local authority partner.
- They should deliver opportunities for sustainable long term growth in historic places.
- They must be based around local heritage assets, either designated or undesignated.
- They should be capable of delivery within three to five years .
Services Historic England can provide include:
- Research into historic sites or buildings.
- Funding.
- Advice on repairing and finding new uses for buildings.
- Advice on planning policy.
- Condition surveys.
- Historic Area Assessments.
- Help with updating entries on the National Heritage List for England.
- Training in how to assess the significance of historic places.
- Help with identifying places that could be listed.
- Help with engaging local communities.
- Networks and contacts that may bring other key players to the table.
Ten Heritage Action Zones were announced in March 2017, in; Appleby, Coventry, Elsecar, Hull, King's Lynn, Nottingham, Ramsgate, Sunderland, Sutton and Weston-super-Mare.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Capacity-building grants support management of the historic environment.
- Conservation area.
- DCMS Culture Secretary comments on HM Government position on contested heritage.
- Designated areas.
- English Heritage.
- Heritage asset.
- Heritage at Risk Register.
- Heritage definition.
- Historic England's charged-for services for listing certainty and pre-application planning conversations.
- Historic England.
- IHBC Annual School 2021.
- Listed buildings.
- Principles of conservation.
- Scheduled monuments.
- What makes a heritage-at-risk officer.
IHBC NewsBlog
Old Sarum fire in listed (& disputed) WW1 Hangar - Wiltshire Council has sought legal advice after fire engulfed a listed First World War hangar that was embroiled in a lengthy planning dispute.
UK Antarctic Heritage Trust launches ‘Virtual Visit’ website area
The Trust calls on people to 'Immerse yourself in our heritage – Making Antarctica Accessible'
Southend Council pledge to force Kursaal owners to maintain building
The Council has pledged to use ‘every tool in the toolbox’ if urgent repairs are not carried out.
HE’s Research Magazine publishes a major study of the heritage of England’s suburbs
The article traces the long evolution of an internal programme to research 200 years of suburban growth
IHBC Context 183 Wellbeing and Heritage published
The issue explores issues at the intersection of heritage and wellbeing.
SAVE celebrates 50 years of campaigning 1975-2025
SAVE Britain’s Heritage has announced events across the country to celebrate bringing new life to remarkable buildings.
IHBC Annual School 2025 - Shrewsbury 12-14 June
Themed Heritage in Context – Value: Plan: Change, join in-person or online.
200th Anniversary Celebration of the Modern Railway Planned
The Stockton & Darlington Railway opened on September 27, 1825.
Competence Framework Launched for Sustainability in the Built Environment
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) and the Edge have jointly published the framework.
Historic England Launches Wellbeing Strategy for Heritage
Whether through visiting, volunteering, learning or creative practice, engaging with heritage can strengthen confidence, resilience, hope and social connections.