Stirling Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS)

Stirling Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) is a grant programme providing financial assistance for the regeneration of historic properties within designated areas of Stirling Town and Royal Park Conservation Area. The area follows a historic route from King Street up to the medieval core of Stirling.

The project is jointly funded by Historic Environment Scotland and Stirling Council and will run until March 2027. The project aims to restore and conserve the historic built fabric and safeguard the historic environment of the Stirling’s historic centre for the future. This will be done by adopting proven traditional building techniques and avoiding unnecessary damage or replacement of sound historic fabric.

Area

The CARS focuses on a specific area of Stirling’s Town Centre and Royal Park Conservation Area.

Aims

The main aims of the project are to:

• Assist property owners and tenants with the high quality external repairs of their historic buildings
• Improve streetscape by restoring traditional shopfronts and architectural details
• Engage the local community with the town’s built and cultural heritage
• Provide opportunities for local contractors to improve and upskill in traditional building skills and methods

Objectives

The project’s objectives are to:

• restore and preserve historic properties
• develop advice on management and maintenance of the historic environment
• encourage community engagement, participation and enjoyment of local built heritage
• encourage and promote energy efficiency improvements of the historic properties and sustainability of the historic environment
• improve the range and quality of local conservation skills
• support the Council’s regeneration programme and contribute to the positive transformation of the Stirling city centre
• raise awareness of local history and heritage

Grants

Building repairs

Discretionary funding is available to property owners and tenants for external repairs and reinstatement of the architectural features of their historic buildings.

In addition to nine key focus buildings within the CARS area, which have been identified due to their condition and/or prominent role in the townscape of the town centre, any building may apply for grant funding. The maximum grant funding available for each project will be set by the Council on a project by project basis, and will cover up to 75% of the eligible cost of works per project.

Shopfront improvements

Shopfront Improvement Grants within CARS Shopfront Improvement Area are available for up to 90% towards eligible costs of works.

To enable this scheme to succeed, a Shopfront Design Guide is currently being prepared by John Gilbert Architects, to be completed by Autumn 2024.

Apply for a Grant

The process for the grant application is explained on the main council website. Please fill in an eligibility form there, or contact [email protected].