Heritage Works is a new toolkit aimed at all those organisations and individuals engaged in regeneration programmes. It is the result of a partnership project between the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the British Property Federation (BPF) and English Heritage and has been produced by Drivers Jonas. This blend of experience and expertise has enabled a strong focus on the needs of developers and property professionals while at the same time analysing the necessary ingredients for successful heritage-led regeneration projects.

The toolkit starts from the understanding that the very best parts of our built heritage represent a significant resource that can play an important role in the regeneration of areas and communities. It identifies the qualities and benefits that heritage assets can bring to regeneration projects, but also looks at ways of avoiding or addressing particular issues that can occur when dealing with listed buildings and historic areas.

The reuse of historic buildings and areas in regeneration projects creates a tangible link to the past for local communities and helps reinforce a sense of place, local identity and character. The study provides a practical step by step guide on how to bring forward a heritage-led regeneration project in addition to containing a wealth of detail of where to go to find further information. It can be used as a reference document and checklist for heritage-led regeneration schemes, and is intended to assist developers, owners, community groups, practitioners, local authorities and others in undertaking and completing successful projects.

RICS, the BPF, English Heritage and Drivers Jonas all have significant experience of working on hugely successful regeneration projects which have involved historic buildings and areas acting as their cornerstones. Heritage Works draws together this experience, and analyses the way that the historic environment can act as a catalyst for both specific regeneration schemes and for the regeneration of wider areas and also communities. It represents an important tool not only for the regeneration sector, but also for those involved in seeking the refurbishment and reuse of historic buildings and areas.