The historic Grade B listed Corbiehall flats in Bo’ness are set for a funding boost prior to their official opening next month after the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) awarded a grant of £16,300 for community participation and opportunities for heritage learning.
Originally designed in 1930 by renowned local architect, Matthew Steele, the three blocks have recently seen a massive internal and external transformation into 28 flats available for social rent through Falkirk Council.
The award will be used to fund a project that will allow the local community to raise their awareness of the historical importance of the blocks and promote their significance to the wider community.
It is expected that residents will be involved in researching the history as well as assisting with interpretation, producing supporting material (including leaflets and design boards) and providing opportunities for unemployed young people to become involved by offering job opportunities.
It is also expected that pupils from local primary schools (Kinneil, St Mary’s, Grange and Deanburn) will become involved in the year long project that starts in January 2012 and culminates at the end of 2012 with a community celebration in the town’s historic Hippodrome cinema.
A steering group will be established that will involve both local residents and new tenants giving them a chance to integrate and learn from each others collective experiences and knowledge.
Cllr Jim Blackwood, Convener of Housing and Social Care said: ‘The Corbiehall redevelopment will bring these flats back into the heart of the Bo’ness community and will provide 28 affordable social lets to new and existing tenants.
‘The funding delivered by the Heritage Lottery Fund will allow the community to explore the background to these historical buildings and give the chance for local residents to find out more about local architect Matthew Steele.
‘It will also bring the community closer together and allow the new tenants to integrate with their neighbours.’
Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland said, “This is a great project as it shows how local heritage can provide an important link to a community’s roots and sense of place and be a catalyst for lots of different activities. It will provide learning opportunities for the new residents, local primary schools and volunteers, and opportunities for all the local community to explore and enjoy the history on their doorstep. “
The £1.4m refurbishment of the blocks will see the derelict shell transformed with far greater energy efficiency measures installed such as insulation to a high standard after lying vacant for four years.
Landscape work is also being carried out including improvements to the footpaths, gardens, open spaces as well as retention of original features.
Falkirk Council is one of four local authorities in Scotland who have been designated as an Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) priority area until 2013 – this means that there is additional project development support available to groups and organisations who are considering applying to HLF.