Properties within the HSHAZ boundary are potentially eligible for a grant. An Expression of Interest (EOI) application is welcome from property owners/leaseholders within the boundary, if they meet the criteria below:

• The property is in need of repair and restoration
• The property is wholly or partly vacant, and has a credible business case to bring the space back into sustainable use
• The property is listed on Middlesbrough Council’s local list, or can be considered to make a positive contribution to the significance of the Conservation Area or to the setting/s of a listed building/s
• Restoring the property would have a positive effect on the significance of the Conservation Area
• Restoring the property would result in tangible economic benefits such as: new or improved commercial and/or residential floor space; a number of jobs created and/or safeguarded, and regular and/or wider use of the building for community activities.

The EOI application is to encourage early discussions with Middlesbrough Council about your project. Your EOI will be scored and you are advised to await feedback before you proceed with any works. An acceptable EOI does not guarantee grant funding will be available for your project.

The grants are available to owners/leaseholders of buildings within the HSHAZ boundary and who meet the criteria. Subject to availability of funding, Middlesbrough Council will provide:

1. A grant of up to 90% for the costs of eligible external works, match funded by the applicant
2. A grant of up to 70% for the costs of eligible internal works, match funded by the applicant

Grants are capped at a maximum of £170,000 (subject to change, to reflect the exchange rate and State Aid thresholds).

The grants will follow a two stage process:

1. A completed Expression of Interest (EOI) form must be submitted
2. Following an approved EOI, a HSHAZ grant application must be submitted with supporting documentation.

Applications will be assessed on a first come, first served basis.

There will be two EOI assessment periods in year one of the HSHAZ programme. Grant funding is only committed once both parties have signed the grant offer letter.

Unfortunately it may not be possible to support all eligible applications due to the limited pot of money.

The EOI assessment periods will be:

• 23 November 2020
• 28 February 2021

We will not be accepting EOIs received after 28 February 2021. However this will be kept under review, and we may reopen the call for EOIs in the future. Please check this page for updates.

Following these dates applicants will be advised whether their EOI:

1. can progress to the grant application stage - suitable proposals will be invited to engage in a dialogue process with the council and its consultants. Applicants will be guided to refine their proposals and to develop them in order to submit the full grant application. The council will facilitate this process, and offer support and assistance where required.
2. has been deferred - because further information is required or the EOI may be reconsidered in the future, depending upon the demand for grants.
3. has been rejected - feedback will be provided.

EOIs will be scored against the grant criteria, using the methodology set out in Appendix 2 and eligible works set out in Appendix 3 of the HSHAZ grant policy. Information submitted may be validated by site visits from council officers or architects.

Before completing an Expression of Interest application, please read the HSHAZ grant policy.

Complete the HSHAZ Expression of Interest application online.

For an informal discussion you can contact the Middlesbrough HSHAZ team by emailing HAZ@middlesbrough.gov.uk.

The Middlesbrough High Street Heritage Action Zone boundary starts north of Albert Bridge around Gibson House and Plenary House on Cleveland Street. It includes all buildings on either side of Queens Square.

It goes west around Middlesbrough Railway Station then east down Brunswick Street. It also goes east around Middlesbrough Railway Station down to Zetland Place and around Teesside Archives, and through to Exchange Square.

From Brunswick Street and Exchange Square, the boundary runs south through Wilson Street to include the former Slam building, and through Albert Road from buildings 5-25 to the west, and 6 and 34-40 to the east of Albert Road.