Via Historic Environment Progress Report for the period January to June 2013 http://www.feock-plan.com/sites/51e93690b0f0e8b318000001/assets/522f0b89...

1.5 HERITAGE
1.5.1 Heritage at Risk
Harvey’s Foundry Phase 3, Hayle
In May the project team submitted the final ERDF Convergence application and in June a grant of £2.1 million was offered, completing the funding package of £3.4 million for the conversion of two Grade II Listed buildings to create 1,000 sq m of employment space and an estimated 83 FTE. We procured the services of a Project Manager and the successful candidate was Trevor Humphreys who recently completed the Porthmeor Studios project in St Ives. We began procurement of a main contractor by issuing a Preliminary Qualification Questionnaire and received expressions of interest from five suppliers.

Unfortunately, in June 2013 Unity Bank announced that they were withdrawing the asset transfer loan of £900,000 on the basis of lack of confidence in the economy. This money was the eligible private match to the ERDF grant, and without it the project has had to decline the Convergence grant. The Project Manager and architect have been stood down, and the potential suppliers informed of a delay. The team made hurried enquiries with other lenders  and private sources but timescales for  acceptance of the ERDF grant and delivery of the project were against us.

Phase 3 has now stalled which is a massive disappointment. The Council (Property Services) remains liable for the Grade II Listed Plantation Stores building which was due to be transferred to Harvey’s Foundry Trust. An initial enquiry has been made with HLF under the new Heritage Enterprise grant scheme as we await a response on whether this funding route now offers a way forward.