IPSWICH BUILDING PRESERVATION TRUST

 

Background

Ipswich Building Preservation Trust was established by Ipswich Borough Council in 1977 with the help of a long-term interest-free loan. It is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Its aim is to act as a "repairer of last resort" in renovating problem, dilapidated buildings within the Borough that might otherwise not be repaired. IBPT regularly reviews buildings on the Listed Buildings-at-Risk Register and considers other potential projects. Resolution of these can be hindered because owners often have unrealistic expectations of the market value of properties in a dilapidated and deteriorating condition.

IBPT operates on a "revolving fund" basis, primarily by purchasing and renovating buildings and then reselling them in their enhanced state to recoup the funding which is then used for further projects. The Trust's Board of Management are all volunteers who provide a wide range of unpaid professional expertise. In addition there is representation on the Board of Members and Officers of the Borough Council.

The Trust holds its meetings at Pykenham's Gatehouse, a building it restored and opens to the public on a regular basis.

There are about 200 such BPTs operating throughout the United Kingdom and these are members of the Association of Preservation Trusts. BPTs are able to take advantage of special financial assistance offered by the Architectural Heritage Fund (established in 1975 specifically to help such Trusts) and the Heritage Lottery Fund through its Conservation Deficit Grant Scheme.

Restoration projects undertaken by the Trust have included: