The Impact of Heritage Action Zones across England
Historic England’s Heritage Action Zones (HAZ) programme has activated the power of the historic environment, creating conditions for economic growth and improving the quality of life in villages, towns, and cities across England.
Discover the impact of our work
Since 2017, 20 locations have benefitted from the HAZ programme and Historic England funding and support.
These historic places have been supported through grant funding, partnership working, and by sharing our skills, making them more attractive to residents, businesses, visitors, and investors.
Across the Heritage Action Zones programme, 157 historic buildings have been saved, restored, and brought back into use, and unsung places are now being recognised and celebrated for their unique character and heritage.
Throughout this work, Historic England has championed research to support positive change, ensuring the historic environment is a vital part of our sustainable future. We have commissioned 175 heritage guidance documents and provided almost 1,600 hours of heritage training sessions to local communities.
The HAZ programme has:
- Improved conservation areas
- Kick-started regeneration and renewal
- Attracted significant investment
- Contributed to meeting local housing targets
- Provided employment and volunteering opportunities
- Supported local communities
- Encouraged tourism
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Appleby: Fighting Climate Change
Restoring and protecting Appleby's heritage, benefitting the local economy and the people who live and work there.
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Bishop Auckland: Supporting Community Heritage Projects
A fascination with amateur football has led to the reuse of an empty high street shop to celebrate the heritage of Bishop Auckland Football Club.
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Coventry: Boosting Tourism
Restoring empty heritage assets, generating income for their futures, and transforming Coventry through heritage.
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Gosport: Unveiling Forgotten Histories
Gosport is a prime example of how Heritage Action Zone schemes can uncover rich histories and bring new access and enjoyment for local communities.
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Greater Grimsby: Creating New Housing Through Building Reuse
In Greater Grimsby, the Heritage Action Zone supported work to bring back into use a derelict industrial building in the town centre.
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Hull: Supporting Businesses
Reclaiming one of Hull's oldest streets as an attractive, family-friendly destination.
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King’s Lynn: Connecting Communities
Making a positive impact, discovering more about the history of the town and finding creative ways to share it.
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Nottingham: Increasing Housing in City Centres
Revealing the city's history and, in turn, securing its future conservation.
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North Lowestoft: Reviving the Streetscape
Through funding the refurbishment of historic buildings, the North Lowestoft HAZ has supported economic regeneration on the high street.
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North Lowestoft: Creative Communities
A creative poetry project by our HAZ partners Poetry People has engaged the local community in the heritage of the area.
Find a Heritage Action Zone near you
The success of the HAZ initiative led to the £95 million government-funded High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) programme. Completed by Historic England in 2024, the 4-year HSHAZ programme brought new life to more than 60 historic high streets across the country.
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