Wick, Pulteneytown Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme

24th September 2007

The first grant assisted project under the £1.5 M Historic Scotland award to The Highland Council for work within the Pulteneytown Outstanding Conservation Area, in Wick has recently been completed.

Timber sash and case windows and a six panel timber door have been re-introduced into a listed building at 15 Argyle Square and already the owners have been applauded by members of the public for the enhancement this has made to this historic square.

Owners Mr and Mrs Hutchison said: "We are very pleased with the new windows, and lots of people have stopped us in the street and commented how good our house now looks."

The Square is associated with the works of Thomas Telford, who set out his plans for the town in the early nineteenth century.

Councillor Drew Hendry, Chairman of The Highland Council's Planning, Environment and Development Committee said: "Maintaining the distinct character and heritage of some of our most treasured architectural areas in the Highlands is vitally important. I am sure that the project in Pulteneytown will be a building block in the Council administration's larger aim of maintaining and developing our Highland architectural heritage."

A combination of the Historic Scotland award funds and The Highland Council's Private Sector Housing Grant is presently available to assist owners within the Conservation Area carry out sympathetic repairs and to reinstate original architectural detail.

The Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme will concentrate on bringing the large number of vacant and ~at risk~ buildings within the area, back into economic use while maintaining their historic detail. Smaller grants are available for the general correct repair of the historic fabric and the reinstatement of appropriate materials such as natural slates, timber sash and case windows and cast iron rain water goods.

Property owners who wish further information about the conservation funding should contact, The Highland Council's Planning and Development Service in Wick on (01955) 605858.