Barriers and Benefits in Adaptive Reuse of Industrial Buildings in Burnley, Lancashire.

Abstract

This dissertation will look at the adaptive reuse of heritage assets as an effective strategy for improving the operational and financial performance of heritage buildings as well as their impact on the surrounding urban enviroment. The report will delve into a range of sources, from government legislation including planning controls, listed building consent and conservation area controls to help gain a wider picture of this specific area of the property industry. A range of experts specialising in listed buildings and heritage property will be consulted in order to gain a different perspective of the problem. Estate agents and developers will also be consulted in order to gain a better understanding of why these buildings are, in some cases, avoided, given that there are numerous limitations surrounding listed buildings. In many cases the listed buildings have become the focal point for the development due to their character and history for example the Weavers Triangle, Burnley Lancashire. Our society tends to have a disposable view upon these historic buildings, however, adaptive reuse intends to offer a sustainable building template with existing infrastructure and embedded materials/energy. Industrial buildings will always have added costs associated with their reuse, but if anticipated early on, can be successfully dealt with through some careful planning and creativity, fortunately, there are several planning tools and financial incentives available to make the adaptive reuse of industrial buildings more economically feasible. Today, historic towns and cities around the country are experiencing unprecedented revitalization as cities use their cultural monuments as anchors for redevelopment.