Case Study - English Heritage

English Heritage is responsible for over 400 historic properties and welcomes over 3m paying visitors every year.

In 2002 Britton McGrath Associates were commissioned by English Heritage to undertake a comprehensive review of all of its properties in Guardianship, called the Property Prioritisation Project (PPP), which assessed each site against a series of mainly commercial criteria.  The outcome of this exercise was a programme of investment, called the Property Development Programme aimed at investing resources where they were most likely to generate a commercial return.

The Property Development Programme is a key part of the English Heritage ‘Coming of Age’ process, and the first investment strategy for the historic estate which seeks to maximise commercial opportunities and deliver the best value to the public.

Over the last six years we have been asked to develop detailed Business Plans for a number of properties identified as having potential through the PPP process and subsequently included in the Property Development Programme. These include the following:

• The Case for Acquisition, Access and Development of a major property in the North East which was submitted to DCMS and has subsequently been approved
• The acquisition strategy for Wrest Park Gardens in Bedfordshire allowing English Heritage to successfully negotiate a deal with the owners
• A study on a proposed joint venture commercial development of the Stables Block at Audley End House followed by a review of the development potential for the main property
• Development of the Business Plan to support a new Visitor Facilities building at Battle Abbey. The plan was approved by DCMS and the new building is now operational
• In May 2008, the development of the Business Case and proposal to support the funding bid to CABE under its SeaChange programme

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