Miles Ward Court is a historic building located within the town centre conservation area of the East Suffolk market town of Halesworth. The building has been unoccupied and unused for over 40 years and had fallen into an advanced state of disrepair. Foundation East was contacted by the local community organisations, the Halesworth and Blyth Valley Partnership and the Town Council to see whether the building could be retained and restored for community benefit.

Foundation East undertook feasibility work which revealed a need for provision of new high quality supported office and workshop space within the town centre to encourage creation of small businesses. Plans were drawn up, with the support of community partners, to create 8 small B1 class units varying in size between 15 and 60m², to be offered on low risk 'easy in/easy out' terms with access to free or low cost business support links, plus a small meeting room for use by tenants and local community organisations.

A key feature of the renovation is enviromental sustainability; as much as possible of the existing building material, notably Suffolk red bricks and pantiles plus existing roof timbers, have been renewed and re-used, thus minimising the amount of waste material sent to landfill. The facility produced replicates the building's existing profile and will create pleasant and amenable environment for occupying businesses.

The building is controlled in partnership with the local community partners through the use of a Community Land Trust. This has been effected by local organisations becoming members of Foundation East and due to the mutuality inherent in our structure, they are then able to direct and control the future use and direction of the building. This means that it will remain a local asset used for the benefit of, and controlled by, local people.

The project has been financed via a wide funding partnership; major funding has been obtained from the European Objective 2 Transitional programme; EEDA's Regional Renaissance programme, and from the Adventure Capital Fund. Financial and philosophical support has also been receieved from Suffolk County Council and Waveney District Council.

Work commenced on site in February 2007 and was completion at the end of March 2008. For further information or details on the accommodation to be provided, please contact Foundation East on 01284 757 777 or email info@mileswardcourt.org