Townscape Heritage Initiative

Property Grants Scheme

 

Aims

The property grants scheme accounts for nearly ¼ of the funding for the THI.

The grant regime is designed to repair and restore historic fabric and bring redundant floorspace back into use. Specific encouragement is being given to projects which restore historic frontages, increase retail floor area and provide small but quality office space.

The grants are available not only to carry out repairs to  eligible buildings but can also be used to undo inappropriate work and and restore a building. The emphasis is on restoring Stornoways historic character and its distinctive features. 

The main aim is get repair/restoration works committed for as many properties as possible during the 3 year period when the grants are available. After 3 years (April 2010) the grants will not be available and any THI funds will be lost. We want to spend every penny of it.

 

Eligibility

All of the buildings in the THI focus area have been surveyed externally and assessment made of what repairs/restoration works need to done. All the buildings have been assessed against a number of criteria to prioritise them for repair grants: this applies to all buildings constructed pre 1948 and which are, therefore, potentially eligible for grant aid. Our priorities are therefore to target all the A category buildings in the first year, the B category buildings in the 2nd year and , the C’s in the 3rd year. This is not being applied rigidly and where a case can be made it will be possible to bring cases forward or take up cases which have not come forward in the priority year.

As the grants are based on conservation principles using traditional materials and practices grant-aidable works have to follow certain principles. Guidance is given in the document Eligible Works (pdf 56KB) . All proposed works have to be agreed with Historic Scotland’s architects. Works for new development are not eligible.

The THI is a 5 year project but all grant monies must be committed in the first 3 years, i.e. before April 2010 so don’t miss out.

Types of Grant

The grants are divide into two basic types – residential and business, illustrated in the tables below:-

Residential grants
Element to be aided	What it will cover	% - max.
Historic fabric	Conservation repairs to the historic fabric of the building. Reversing inappropriate changes which affect the historic character of the building	70% up to a maximum of £10,000

Public and religious buildings would also be eligible for these grants.

Business grants
Element to be aided	What it will cover	% - max
Historic fabric	Conservation repairs to the historic fabric of the building. Reversing inappropriate changes which affect the historic character of the building. Structural problems which will potentially affect the stability of the building	70% to a maximum of £15,000
Redundancy	Refurbishment of redundant floorspace, which will assist the applicants business to expand or another business to start up	70% up to a maximum of £10,000
Shop fronts	Restoration or refurbishment of shop fronts in sympathy with the building in which it is located.	70% up to a maximum of £10,000

If multiple applications were received the total grant awarded should not exceed £25,000. Charities and ‘not for profit, organisations would also be eligible for these grants.

All the properties which are potentially eligible for grant have been written to individually inviting applications for grant. Further reminder letters will be sent out on a regular basis.

Applying for Grant

Applying for a grant has to be done on the Application Form (pdf 92KB) together with 3 competitive tenders to Ian Wilson the Project manager (see contact details in the Contact section). However, as there is a requirement to submit detailed information all applicants are strongly advised to discuss their proposals before making any application or firm commitments to works. A suggested approach is set out below:

1. Contact Ian Wilson by telephone/email/fax setting out your basic proposals so that potential eligibility can be assessed. The aim will be to get a substantive reply back within 2 working days

2. Arrange a meeting on site, preferably with a professional building adviser, to   make a detailed assessment of the proposed works and what is involved.        

3. Secure 3 competitive tenders for the work that provides detailed information of the proposed works and materials to be used.

4. The application and quotations will be forwarded to historic Scotland by the THI manager for assessment and approval.

PLEASE NOTE THAT  NO WORK RELATING TO THE REPAIR GRANT SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BEFORE NOW– TO DO SO MAY JEOPARDISE THE GRANT.

5. Once approved the applicant will have to sign the Third Party Contract with the Comhairle. On completion of this the grant-aided work may commence.

NB You will be required to display, on the work site, separate banners stating that the work is grant aided by the heritage Lottery Fund and by Historic Scotland. These will be provided free and will have to be returned on completion of the work.
The works in progress may be inspected from time to time and you should make arrangements for this to happen-a photographic record will normally be made.

Conclusion

Although the requirements may, at first, seem a little daunting please remember we are here to help. Where projects are seen as being eligible we will make every endeavour to ensure a successful outcome – we wish to see all the funds committed within the 3 years allowed.