Once the overall feasibility of a project has been established, there is a period of detailed project development required before financial close can be achieved and actual implementation can begin. We have helped many clients take their projects through this phase. The specific needs of each project differ, but can include:
Click below to read about some clients we have provided these services for, or click here for a pdf with more details:
Crediton Town Square is in a Conservation Area, the integrity of which had been compromised by the building of a 1960's fire station in its centre and the demoliltion of key buildings around the square. We were appointed by Mid Devon District Council to develop, fund and manage this project, making the new square for regeneration in the future.
Before our involvement, the project had been stalled for over 12 years, but through lateral thinking and careful planning and negotiations, we were able to unlock and deliver the project for the Council to the satisfaction of all interested parties.
We secured the funding package of £2.6m in 2002 and then moved into the project delivery phase, including co-ordinating the efforts of funders, legal teams, design teams and stakeholders to bring the project through detailed design, construction and financial close. This ambitious and complex project ultimately involved the successful relocation of the Fire Service in Crediton and the demolition of the old Fire Station to enable the creation of an outstanding multi-use public space within the square.
The funding package we developed and negotiated involved multiple stakeholders - the Town, District and County Councils, the South West of England Regional Development Agency, the Devon Fire & Rescue Service and even the Army Cadet Force. The project was completed in 2006.
Mid Devon District Council asked us to provide our complete project service on this town centre enhancement project. The Grade II listed Pannier Market building was in need of regeneration, and its potential impact and usage levels were compromised by the fact that it was surrounded by a 'sea' of car parking.
We consulted with the project steering group and community, and appointed a design team to work on the project with us. Thereafter we helped to develop the project scope, liaised with the design team, established the potential positive socioeconomic benefits of the scheme and approached partners for funding. We continued to consult and liaise closely with the community and stakeholders.
Accompanied by supporting business plans, we developed a £3.5 million funding package and managed to negotiate significant grant awards from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Objective 2 ERDF and the South West of England Regional Development Agency. Following completion of the funding package, we helped MDDC procure the building contracts, and processed all the necessary grant drawdown claims.
The National Maritime Museum Cornwall, alongside Eden and the Tate St Ives as a scheme of national interest which has played a key role in redefining Cornwall's position as a visitor destination, and in delivering a major boost to the local economy. In addition to the flagship Museum building, the project includes commercial, retail and residential buildings, and a public events square.
This was De Facto's maiden project, with work prior to 1997 being carried out by Ingrid Heseltine in her capacity as New Initiatives Manager at Cornwall County Council. Ingrid and De Facto were responsible for helping to take the project from first thoughts, through the early stages of concept development, partnership engagement, design team appointment and funding applications. The development of, and ongoing negotiations with, the complex team of public and private partners involved in the scheme, was key to its eventual success.
The initial funding package included £10m Heritage Lottery Fund, £3m Objective 5b ERDF and £0.75m Single Regeneration Budget Challenge Fund.
Mylor Yacht Harbour is set in a stunning natural harbour in West Cornwall, but due to years of insufficient investment, the future of the harbour and businesses operating at the site was threatened along with all the jobs dependent on its existence. Roger & Dinah Graffy purchased the site and the main business, with a view to making the necessary investment to secure the future of the yacht harbour as a whole.
The Graffy's asked us to get involved to address two key problems - banks would only provide finance for a 'de minimis' scheme, and they were encountering considerable opposition to their planning applications.
The Graffy's asked us to help them obtain grant funding to meet the 'gap' in their investment plans between cost and potential return. In order to justify the case for funding, we had to prove the demand for the marina, and that the scheme would benefit the local economy. We successfully did this and following months of detailed negotiations with English Partnerships we agreed a complex funding package. We also provided services in a 'planning advocate' role to help the client team achieve the planning permissions they needed, ensuring the community were informed and consulted on the proposals.
The scheme achieved £0.8 million from English Partnerships, and full planning permissions. The work at the harbour is now complete.