Mar 12, 2013

15 - 22nd March 2013, Loanhead Library

The Mavisbank Trust will be holding a drop-in exhibition to inform local residents about current plans for the restoration of Mavisbank House and the opening up of the grounds as a new community park.  Please come and give us your thoughts on the revised plans for the restoration of Mavisbank.

Mavisbank Trust representatives will be present to answer questions on:

Friday 15th March, 9.30am - 5pm
Saturday 16th March, 9.30am - 1pm

The exhibition will be open from Friday 15th March to Friday 22nd March at Loanhead Library, George Avenue, Loanhead EH20 9LA.

BACKGROUND:
The Future Restoration of Mavisbank and Funding
The 2012 ‘Vision’ agreement committed the Mavisbank restoration partners to providing solutions to the problems of ownership and access that had thwarted earlier attempts to progress restoration.  Since then, the Mavisbank Trust and its professional team has carried out additional development work, including an options appraisal, production of a new business plan and an updated Conservation Plan – a detailed analysis of the history, condition and significance of the house and landscape, which includes proposals for its restoration.

If it is to be saved, it is clear that Mavisbank cannot be left as it is without further deterioration of both the house and the designed landscape. The masonry was designed to be roofed and, without protection from rain and wind, will eventually collapse. Funding for restoration will not be forthcoming without a coherent plan to provide for the long-term financial sustainability of the house and management of the landscape. There is no viable financial option for the house to remain as a ruin. 
Whilst the long-term objective of the project partners is to fully restore Mavisbank, they are acutely aware of the economic conditions and funding climate that currently exist, and are likely to do so for the foreseeable future. Therefore, the Trust’s plans identify a smaller, first stage project that, nonetheless, is financially sustainable and recognises that public funding sources are limited.

It is proposed that the exterior of the house is partially restored to provide a watertight shell, with a temporary roof and a fully-restored front facade. The two pavilions will be converted to provide useable and income generating space; one as a small holiday let and the other, with an added extension, providing creative arts workshops and an exhibition space. A new access road will be constructed and the grounds made accessible as a community park, with limited restoration of key landscape features. Community involvement and engagement during and after restoration will be an integral part of the project.
The cost of the project is estimated to be approximately £5M. Historic Scotland has committed £500K to the project and the Trust recently submitted a Stage 1 application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for £3.5M.  Discussions are taking place with other potential donors and it is anticipated that the remaining funds will be secured mainly from a mix of charitable trusts, arts organisations and private sources.