Portobello Improvement Grant Scheme

[Epykat]

Just thought I'd remind everybody of this little gem from the Council. We recently took advantage and had the hideous paint removed from the front of our building (all 6 layers!). The usual endless list of stupid rules and regulations of course apply but all in all Anna Grant who is in charge (with a name like that she was made for the job ) was extremely helpful and once we got over a few little hiccups and argued our point she came up with the goods (and the money!). I have noticed a few railings making an appearance (most recently in Bellfield St) and they look fantastic, but the scheme also extends to replacing front doors, windows, walls etc. Well worth looking into if you need work done to replace original features.

[Guest]

Thanks for highlighting this. I had planned an article on it for the website. However, the current funding is for works completed by the end of Feb 2004 and my understanding is that the budget has been cut considerably for 2004/5, so anyone wishing to participate is advised to get their application in as soon as possible.

The Portobello Town Scheme, to quote City of Ed, is:

a form of grant assistance whereby local authorities and the Historic Buildings Council provide grants of up to 50% to restore and reinstate traditional external features to buildings. The owners themselves are responsible for the remaining costs.

The aim is to concentrate on works of a relatively small scale, which could greatly improve the character of the conservation area. The normal maximun grant is £3000.

Over the past few years, the character of Portobello has been spoiled by unsympathetic alterations to historic buildings, including modern windows and doors, painting/rendering of exterior stone or brick walls.

By offering grant incentives to restore traditional features, it is hoped that the appearance of Portobello will improve and it will gradually regain its fine Georgian and Victorian heritage.

Applications forms are available from Planning at 1 Cockburn St. My own application to reinstate single-glazed, wooden sash and case windows was submitted recently and I know of other people who have successfully applied. It's a great idea and one that deserves a larger budget. Anna Grant, incidentally, has recently moved to another job and is no longer involved in the scheme. Some of you may remember a very interesting illustrated talk on Portobello shop fronts she gave a few years ago at a PAS AGM.

[Guest]

Further to this, I have just received the following response from Anna Grant to an email I sent earlier today seeking clarification on the scheme:

At this stage, the Portobello Town Scheme is going ahead for 2004/2005. There is pressure on the Council budget generally that has resulted in cuts across the board, including the conservation grant budget. At the moment, the intention is to allocate £40,000 to the Town Scheme (including Historic Scotland's contribution), so a reduction from last year's £50,000 but not too drastic. There would be the intention to increase this once our full conservation budget is reinstated. I am a little hesitant to say this is all definite as the budget has yet to be fixed but certainly that is the picture at the moment.

I don't think there would be scope to influence the allocation process as it is in the very last stages and there really are difficulties with the budget. Conservation has got off quite lightly compared to other sections.

Hope this is useful. Any information to the public should have a disclaimer about being subject to budget at this stage.

[Guest]

Must say I didn't think there was too much red-tape at all. We had our sash windows reinstated to our Victorian property. Very happy with the result, and the 50% grant meant that we paid no more than we would have for PVC.