Greater Grimsby: Creating New Housing Through Building Reuse
The Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) programme unlocks the potential of England's historic environment to foster sustainable growth and improve quality of life in villages, towns, and cities.
In Greater Grimsby, the Heritage Action Zone provided a targeted response to the economic, social, and environmental needs of Grimsby. This included supporting work to improve the condition and bring back into use a derelict industrial building in the town centre.
Spotlight on the Cooperage
The Cooperage is the only remaining structure of the former Hewitt Brothers Tower Brewery complex, formerly variously used as a cooperage, as a grain store, and for the storage of barrels and bottles. It came onto the market during delivery of the HAZ.
As a large derelict building and a key building in the Central Grimsby Conservation Area, efforts were focussed on securing its future reuse.
Bringing the Cooperage back into use
By working with local people and partners to understand the extent of works required, a proposal and associated funding package was developed to bring the building back into use.
Historic England contributed specialist advice and research, including commissioning a research report. The report provides a more detailed understanding of the building fabric, historical context, and heritage significance.
Ultimately, repair works were carried out. This once vacant and at risk locally listed building, with previous enforcement action, was transformed to full repair and given a new use and improved appearance.
A private investor bought the building and undertook its redevelopment. Working effectively with the Local Planning Authority, they delivered new housing, including 22 apartments and 2 townhouses, while also ensuring the high quality conservation of this important local building.
Benefits of building reuse to tackle climate change
To meet the government’s target of being carbon neutral by 2050, we must recycle, reuse and responsibly adapt our existing historic buildings.
Early research by Heritage Counts demonstrates that by adapting an old building in the right way, carbon emissions could be reduced by more than 60%.
This research shows that sympathetically upgrading and reusing existing buildings, rather than demolishing and building new, could dramatically improve a building’s energy efficiency and would make substantial energy savings.
Up to September 2023, 147 historic buildings have been saved, restored, and brought back into use across the Heritage Action Zone programme.
