The Council takes every opportunity to secure and contribute towards funding regimes from outside organisations such as English Heritage. Such funding is utilised to facilitate area restoration schemes to secure the future and economic vitality of some of our historic building stock.
The Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme (HERS) is an English Heritage grants programme set up to generate area-based, conservation-led regeneration.
A HERS scheme commenced in Dudley in April 1999 based in the Priory Street Conservation Area. Dudley Council and English Heritage jointly funded the Scheme covering up to 50% of the costs of eligible repairs to buildings within the Priory Street Conservation Area over a period of three years.
22 Stone Street
Funding in the first year was targeted at number 22 Stone Street. This imposing mid-19th century, 3 storey Georgian-style red brick and welsh slate building was previously unoccupied and in a very dilapidated condition. It was painstakingly restored and the owner now runs a very successful, high profile, mortgage advisory business from the premises, having created a number of new jobs in the process.
The success of this project paved the way for later successes in the Scheme as it helped to demonstrate how well properties of this age respond to restoration given adequate funding.
Finch House, 29/30 Wolverhampton Street
In the second year urgently needed, sensitive, restoration work was carried out to number 29/30 Wolverhampton Street. Finch House, as the building is known, is a prominent landmark and is architecturally one of the most important privately owned buildings in the Borough recognised by its Grade II* listed status. It is a two-storey merchant's house dating from 1707. It has a queen Anne facade of red brick construction with stone dressings.
19-21 Stone Street
Year 3 funding was instrumental in the very successful award winning refurbishment and restoration of numbers 19-21 Stone Street. The buildings, both listed Grade II, date from the late 18th century. They are flanked, on both sides, by listed buildings and their retention is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the terrace and the preservation and character of Stone Street Square as a whole.
The buildings were in an extremely dilapidated and structurally unstable condition and had been vacant for some time. The Prime Focus Regeneration Group purchased the properties from Dudley Council and obtained listed building consent to carry out the major refurbishment and conversion of the premises.
The two properties have been converted to three self contained commercial units on the ground floor and totally separate living accommodation on the first floor. All of the units have been leased.
19 Priory Street, Priory Chambers
Funds remaining from year 3 were also used to support the refurbishment of the external fabric of no. 19 Priory Street known as Priory Chambers. The three storey brick and slate building possesses numerous interesting features to the upper stories such a sash windows with horizontal pane format and carved lintels with triangular pediments on the consoles.
The buildings were previously largely unoccupied but the external restoration work has paved the way for a comprehensive transformation. Jephson's Housing Association, which owns the building, is now undertaking extensive refurbishment to the interior of the building to provide both commercial and residential accommodation.
The Priory Street Conservation Area HERS has been a highly successful project as it has undoubtedly played a vital role in encouraging the physical and economic revitalisation of this part of the town centre.
