Financial Support for Protected Structures and Buildings within Architectural Conservation Areas
PILOT CONSERVATION ADVICE GRANT SCHEME FOR VACANT TRADITIONAL FARMHOUSES
The Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage is running a pilot scheme to provide grants for expert conservation advice to owners of vacant farmhouses in private ownership who are availing of and/or considering the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses will provide a grant of up to €7,500 (ex VAT) to cover the cost of having a conservation expert with proven and appropriate expertise to visit the property, conduct a survey, and compile tailored conservation advice for the property owner. The report will outline the condition of the building, suggest conservation repairs and improvements which would improve the building and enhance the building’s character, energy efficiency, integrity, and amenity.
BUILT HERITAGE INVESTMENT SCHEME 2023
After another successful year during 2022 of the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS). The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is operating the BHIS again for 2023. This will be administered by Irenie McLoughlin, Architectural Conservation Officer of South Dublin County Council. The allocation for South Dublin County Council under the scheme for 2023 is €96,000.
The fund is intended to assist with works to safeguard structures protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) and, in certain cases, works to structures within Architectural Conservation Areas, and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals and tradespeople. The fund is not intended to assist in the carrying out of routine maintenance, alterations, improvements, or pre-existing works.
South Dublin County Council are inviting owners of Protected Structures and buildings within Architectural Conservation Areas to apply. Applications can be lodged for grants of between €2,500 up to a maximum of €15,000, with applicants required to provide a minimum of 50% of total costs.
Once again under BHIS a stream for works of routine maintenance and minor repairs, which were not previously eligible for funding under the scheme will continue this year. For projects awarded funding under the pilot scheme for works of routine maintenance and minor repairs, the minimum amount will not apply. The maximum award for such projects will be €2,500.
A Guide has now been prepared to assist applicants in completing their application under BHIS. The Guide, Guidance Circular and Application Form is available on www.sdcc.ie
Please ensure the works to be applied for qualify under details of the scheme (See Guidance Circular BHIS23/1 for full details - Qualifying Works). Works approved under this scheme must meet all statutory requirements including the need for planning permission, where appropriate.
Applications under this fund may be made by email planningdept@SDUBLINCOCO.ie or by post to
Architectural Conservation Grants Architectural Conservation Section Land-Use Planning and Transportation Department, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24.
Please note that the deadline for submission of completed applications to South Dublin County Council is before 5pm, Friday 27th January 2023.
Late applications will not be accepted.
HISTORIC STRUCTURES FUND (HSF) 2023
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage have announced the Historic Structures Fund to run again this year. This will be administered by Irenie McLoughlin, Architectural Conservation Officer, LUPT Dept, South Dublin County Council.
The primary focus of the Historic Structures Fund is on caring for and restoring historic structures and buildings for the benefit of communities and the public. In addition, refurbishment or reuse projects share a clear residential benefit is demonstrated will be welcomed this year under Stream 2 in line with Housing for All commitments.
The Historic Structures Fund 2023 Streams:
- Stream 1 will offer grants from €15,000 up to €50,000 and is aimed at essential repairs and smaller capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of heritage structures. Inclusion of a sub Stream 1 for Historic Shopfronts – To incentivise the conservation of historic shop fronts, each Local Authority is invited to submit an additional application under Stream 1 for eligible essential repairs and small capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of historic shop facades, windows, signage and other associated details to safeguard them and keep them in use.
- Stream 2 will offer a small number of grants from €50,000 up to €200,000 for larger enhancement, refurbishment or reuse projects involving heritage structures, where a clear community or public benefit has been demonstrated (funding of up to €4m for 2022 under this Stream) and addition of refurbishment or reuse projects for residential use under ‘Housing for All commitments’.
- Vernacular Structures Stream - Funding of up to €50,000. The purpose of the stream is to support conservation repairs and small capital works to vernacular structures that are not listed in local authority Records of Protected Structures or otherwise legally protected. Such structures may be located within an Architectural Conservation Area. All local authorities can apply for funding for specific projects of between €5,000 and €10,000 for eligible projects.
Circular HSF/2023 ‘Historic Structures Fund’ sets out the operation of the scheme and includes the relevant application forms. The Circular should be read carefully as there are various changes compared to the previous scheme.
Applicants cannot avail of funding under both the Historic Structures Fund and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme in the same year.
Application Form, Guidance Circular and other information on the Historic Structures Fund can be found on www.sdcc.ie
Applications under this fund may be made by email planningdept@SDUBLINCOCO.ie or by post to Architectural Conservation Grants,
Architectural Conservation Section Land-Use Planning and Transportation Department, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Dublin D24 A3EX
Please note that the deadline for submissions for completed applications to South Dublin County Council is before 5pm, Monday, 23rd January 2023. Late applications will not be accepted.
