Latest Press Release
The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay announces new initiative to enhance use of heritage buildings in the North Highlands
30th July 2007
The third phase of the North Highland Initiative, which works to promote and develop the economy and support the rural communities of the North Highlands, was officially unveiled by The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay when he visited Castletown in Caithness today.
The NHI’s Built Environment Programme brings the Initiative together with The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment and The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, to help breathe new life into the North Highlands’ valuable built heritage of historic buildings, finding new uses for those that are now redundant.
The Duke attended the The Prince’s Foundation’s ‘Enquiry by Design’ workshop at Castletown today, the location of the first joint project under the programme, where members of the local community and those representing the council and other key interests were discussing ways to develop the area and working up outline proposals for enhancing the quality, character and sustainability of contemporary building development and embracing the potential of buildings not currently in use.
The workshop is part of the The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment’s unique collaborative approach to planning and is aimed at producing a long-term masterplan for Castletown and Castlehill’s regeneration. Led by Hank Dittmar, Chief Executive of The Prince's Foundation and Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The Prince's Regeneration Trust, the workshop follows a recent public meeting to canvas the needs of the local community.
The North Highland Initiative was launched by The Duke of Rothesay in August 2005 to support three aspects of the rural economy – its produce, tourism and built heritage - and today’s announcement completes the establishment of all three strands of work.
Lord Maclennan of Rogart, Chairman of the North Highland Initative said: “The intention of drawing upon the unique qualities of the North Highlands to foster the wellbeing of the area is the strong common theme which pulses through the Initiative.
"The Built Environment, an important ingredient of our heritage, conditions the quality of living here, as well as the perception of its attractiveness to visitors. We must build and restore to the highest standards with a strong awareness of what is best in our traditions, most suitably and adaptable to the needs of the community, and which will enhance the North Highlands experience.
“There is little time to lose but the participation of The Prince's Foundation for the Built Environment and The Prince's Regeneration Trust, for which we are most grateful, will help us to rise to this exciting challenge.”
For Castletown, the aim is to consider how housing growth could be accommodated in a way that takes account of the environment, contributes to the life of the community and helps support and develop the shops and businesses that make up the local economy.
Commenting on the work for Castletown, Hank Dittmar, Chief Executive of The Prince’s Foundation said: “Our focus will be on creating sustainable growth that contributes to the beauty of the countryside, the quality of life for people who live and work there and the experience of those who visit as tourists.
"For example, we will be looking at alternatives to the trend for building bungalows on some of the most beautiful areas of land. Whilst this affords great views for the bungalow owner, we need to think about the impact that this house makes on the view for everyone else.”
“Another consideration is the impact of housebuilding on agriculture. Any fields turned over to housebuilding represent a permanent loss of grazing land. We believe the right way forward for this special part of the UK will come from joining up the rural livelihoods derived from tourism and with built environment.”
Ros Kerslake, Chief Executive of The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, said “The North Highlands has some wonderful heritage buildings and this initiative establishes a vital focus on preserving them for future generations, finding new uses that give them a genuinely sustainable future.”
Notes to Editors
1. The Prince’s Foundation, working jointly with The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, will hold an Enquiry by Design workshop at Castletown from 30 July to 1 August 2007. There is a public open session for local people on 1 August from 6.30-8.30pm at the Drill Hall, Castletown.
2. The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment is an educational charity which seeks to improve the quality of people’s lives by teaching and practicing timeless and ecological ways of planning, designing and building.
3. The Prince’s Regeneration Trust undertakes activities in pursuit of the preservation, regeneration and re-use of buildings of architectural or heritage value at risk.
4. The Duke of Rothesay launched the North Highlands Initiative (NHI) in August 2005 to promote and develop the economy and to support the rural communities of the North Highlands.
The Mey Selections brand was the NHI’s first venture and was developed to enhance the marketing presence of produce from the North Highlands’ area in niche food markets, selling beef, mutton and lamb. The brand has a unique selling point in the packaging artwork which was painted by The Duke himself, featuring a view of the Castle of Mey from the walled garden, therefore binding together the Castle of Mey’s long Royal Association with the produce of the area.
The second phase of the NHI was the launch of a tourism marketing strategy which focuses on the idea of “Pleasure in the Extreme”, rooted in the physical and environmental extremes that exist in the North Highlands.