Planning and Delivering Area-Based Regeneration Schemes is a two-day professional training course led by TDR Heritage, taking place on 24–25 March 2026 in the Midlands (Derby or Leicester, venue TBC). Designed for heritage professionals, planners, regeneration officers, architects, consultants, and community leaders, the course offers an intensive introduction to the practical skills needed to deliver successful heritage-led renewal projects at the scale of streets, neighbourhoods, or historic quarters.
Unlike single-building projects, area-based regeneration schemes aim to revitalise whole places—often high streets, town centres, or conservation areas—by combining building repair with social, cultural, and economic activity. These schemes can transform run-down areas into thriving, resilient communities, but they also bring complex challenges: engaging reluctant property owners, securing sustainable funding, planning works realistically, and embedding monitoring and evaluation from the outset.
This training, delivered by conservation specialist Vicky Hunns and community engagement expert Gwendolen Powell, blends technical conservation know-how with social engagement strategies. Together, the trainers provide a rare balance of expertise, equipping participants to approach regeneration holistically.
Across two days, the course is structured into four interconnected modules:
Identifying Heritage Need – assessing building condition, risks, and potential community impact.
Understanding and Developing Interest – motivating property owners, designing inclusive community engagement, and overcoming barriers to participation.
Creating a Realistic Plan – balancing ambition with deliverability, planning works and events, anticipating risks, and building flexibility into delivery.
Evaluating Progress – setting baseline data, meeting funder requirements, and using evaluation as a tool for learning and capacity building.
The format combines group learning, case studies, interactive workshops, and scenario-based exercises. Participants are encouraged to apply the concepts to their own work, leaving with practical tools and greater confidence in managing complex regeneration schemes.
Course details:
Dates: 24–25 March 2026
Location: Derby or Leicester (TBC)
Cost: £500 + VAT (£600 total), including lunches and refreshments
Booking: Online via Stripe, invoice, or purchase order
Refund policy: Cancellations made more than 7 days before the event are refundable (minus processing fees)
This training is particularly timely given the challenges facing UK high streets and conservation areas, from vacancy rates and changing retail patterns to skills shortages and funding constraints. By addressing both the technical and human aspects of regeneration, the course supports professionals and community groups to deliver schemes that are not only compliant and well-managed but also socially inclusive and sustainable.
For more information and booking, visit: TDR Heritage course page
