A new three year phase of regeneration works to preserve the heritage of part of Grimsby Docks is to begin.
North East Lincolnshire Council’s Cabinet has signed off on a three year new Partnership in Conservation Areas (PSiCA) programme for the Kasbah Conservation Area. £600,000 in grants will be available to building repair projects – half from Historic England, and the rest match-funded by the council.
Another £133,000 is being spent on the management of the scheme, funded by Historic England and docks owner Associated British Ports (ABP). Because of the success of a previous funding partnership scheme with Historic England, and ABP’s support, the council was encouraged to seek this new three year extension.
Council leader, Cllr Philip Jackson (Conservative – Waltham Ward), said: “The Kasbah is an important place, and growing steadily in terms of the local economy, complementary to the industrial and traditional work based there. It’s wonderful to see life come back into the older buildings, and the port become both an operational one as well as one that is supporting new businesses.”
In October 2017, the council secured ABP’s agreement to make part of Grimsby Docks a conservation area. This covers the historic Kasbah part, described by Historic England as the most important representation of industrial scale fishing in England.
A year later, a five-year Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) programme of heritage-led regeneration projects was granted by Historic England. This covered not only the Port of Grimsby, but also Alexandra Dock, the Town Hall and the Minister area of the town centre.
During this, there was a previous PSiCA grant scheme, involving Historic England cash, match-funded by the council. More than £1m was awarded to support renovations to 24 of the 93 buildings in the Kasbah Conservation Area – 17 were awarded grants. This included Alfred Enderbys.
Expressions of interest for grants have already been received for several potential projects in the new phase, and enquiries. These are all full refurbishment projects, including the restatement of traditional frontages at a number of buildings on Fish Dock Road. Individuals with enquiries about the scheme are advised to contact the project manager, Stella Jackson, at HAZ@nelincs.gov.uk.
The new £600,000 grant scheme will support additional businesses and not-for-profit community organisations to set up work spaces in the area. Applicants will again be able to apply for cash towards eligible works – external and structural repairs, reinstatement of lost historic features and professional fees.
The overall regeneration project’s aim is to increase demand in properties on the Port of Grimsby, and in turn, support the wider regeneration of the Kasbah area – to the point where public funding is no longer needed for medium to long-term regeneration works.
The latest grant scheme will form part of the broader ABP-led regeneration programme for the Kasbah area. This includes the Ice Factory’s redevelopment by Tom Shutes, and repairs to the Dock Tower.
“The restoration and reuse of historic buildings is a key step towards the docks becoming a thriving area once more and we look forward to helping local businesses and community groups grow,” said David Walsh, the principal adviser for partnerships at Historic England.
Andrew Dawes, regional director of the ABP Humber ports, said it was proud to support the grant scheme. “New life is being breathed into our historic buildings but also preserving the rich heritage of this vibrant, operational port. Together, we’re revitalising the past to inspire a thriving future.”
ABP will contribute to projects funded by the likes of rental holidays to grant recipients, and pre-lease works like vermin removal, orasbestos surveys.
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