Traders get a good deal on shop fronts

Demand for grant aid under the Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme is outstripping Government-provided funds.

Rother conservation officer Geoff Dudman and project manager, architect Robin Beardshaw, are delighted by the uptake.

Owners of shop premises within the town centre conservation area, designed to protect and enhance Bexhill's Edwardian architectural heritage, can obtain grants of up to 80 per cent of the cost of restoring old properties.

Now Mr Dudman is writing to interested parties explaining the appraisal he has made of the town centre area and inviting their comments under a consultation exercise.

"One of the requirements which English Heritage attached to their letter in approving the Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme (HERS) was that there should be a formally adopted appraisal for the conservation area.

"The appraisal would highlight the area's qualities and draw attention to its weaknesses.

"It would be expected to set out a framework for managing change through the council's powers as local planning authority.

"It would also provide guidance for development and investment decisions in the conservation area."