Introduction
Under Section 57 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, the District Council may make discretionary grants towards the cost of repairs to historic buildings. Listed buildings can incur greater costs of repair than modern buildings due to the need to use traditional methods and materials. The aim of the grants is to take account of the additional costs which may be incurred in preserving the character and appearance of historic buildings. The grant assistance will also help to rescue, maintain and enhance the quality of Huntingdonshire’s listed buildings, particularly those considered at risk.
What works qualify?
The grant scheme is run to aid essential repairs to a property, although in exceptional circumstances re-instatement of traditional features will be eligible. Only listed buildings and buildings of historic merit that stand within the curtilage of a listed building that appear on the District Council's Buildings at Risk Register are eligible for grant aid. In all cases the grants are for works of repair that are undertaken using traditional materials, methods and finishes.
Those works not eligible for grant aid include improvement work, alterations, conversions and/or extensions, modernisation rather than repairs, renewal of services, the installation of damp proof courses or timber treatments. Repairs to internal features are only eligible if they are essential to the preservation of the structure.
Any works commenced or completed before a preliminary inspection by a Conservation Officer are not eligible for grant aid. Please contact a Conservation Officer for advice before undertaking any works.
How much grant is available?
Grants vary between 20% of the cost of repair up to £2000, to a maximum of 40% of the cost of repair up to £10,000. The District Council will calculate the amount for which your project is eligible upon receipt of a completed application form. Grant aid is not normally available where larger sums can be obtained from other sources such as English Heritage or the Heritage Lottery Fund, or from other local government divisions such as the housing improvement scheme or engineering improvements grants.
Only 2 grants will be offered per property within a five-year period. Applications are not usually considered from large or multiple commercial organisations.
How to apply
Contact the Conservation Section either by telephone or in writing so that repairs can be discussed. An application form will be posted to you with notes for completion if the works are eligible to apply for a grant.
The completed application form must be returned along with two quotes for the proposed works and an accompanying letter detailing the area and extent of the repairs.
You should also include drawings, plans or photographs of the particular area of repair. Historic photographs of the property can also be useful if available.
Certainly in the case of larger projects of repair, it may be advisable to contact a suitably qualified professional to assist in the detailed specification of the proposed works.
On receipt of the application, a Conservation Officer will undertake a site inspection to view the property. If it is eligible for grant aid, we will write to make an offer in due course.
Please contact the Conservation Team for
further information and an application form:
Conservation Team
Planning Services
Huntingdonshire District Council
Pathfinder House
St Mary’s Street
Huntingdon
PE29 3TN
Telephone: 01480 388416 or 388415
Notes
Some work on listed buildings enjoys a better position regarding the payment of Value Added Tax. At present this applies to works of alteration. In order to establish whether specific works will be exempt from VAT, it is best to contact the Customs and Excise VAT Advice Centre on 0845 010 9000 or on-line at www.hmce.gov.uk. The publication covering VAT and protected buildings is VAT notice 708: Building and Construction (July 2002).