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Historic buildings grants scheme

This scheme provides financial assistance towards the cost of repairing historic buildings throughout Bridgnorth district.

Listed buildings are eligible together with unlisted historic buildings in conservation areas provided their character has not been damaged by inappropriate alteration.

Unlisted buildings outside conservation areas will only be eligible where these are of significant historic interest or architectural interest. Churches will only be eligible where funding is unavailable from other sources, e.g. English Heritage, Heritage Lottery Fund.
The decision on whether a building qualifies for grant aid is entirely at the council's discretion.

The following works may be eligible for grant assistance.

• structural repairs using traditional methods and materials
• repair and reinstatement of ancillary features
• reinstatement of missing architectural features
• repair and reinstatement of traditional paving
• repairs to interior features

Grant rates and availability may vary and it is advisable to contact the conservation officer in the first instance to discuss your proposal.

Download the Historic Buildings Grants Leaflet

Download the Historic Building Grants Application Form

You can also apply for Historic Buildings Grants online.

Historic Buildings Grant Scheme

Historic buildings in a variety of styles and local materials are a vital part of Bridgnorth district's special character. Bridgnorth District Council sets aside a sum of public money for an Historic Buildings Grant Scheme each year. The aim of this scheme is to help owners to look after their historic buildings and structures, preserving the district's historic fabric and thus making it a more attractive place in which to live and work.

Please note that there is a limited budget available in any one financial year (1 April to 31 March) and so it may not be possible to offer you a grant, even if your project is eligible. Please contact the Council's Conservation Officer (see 'Further information' below) for details of the current situation.

Eligible buildings

Bridgnorth district has more than 1,400 listed buildings, and all of these are eligible for grant aid.

Unlisted historic buildings in the district's 34 Conservation Areas may also qualify, provided that their character has not been damaged by inappropriate alteration.

Unlisted buildings outside Conservation Areas will only be eligible if they are of significant historic interest or architectural quality. The decision on whether a building qualifies for grant aid is entirely at the council's discretion. Our Conservation Officer can advise on eligibility.

Churches will only be eligible where funding is unavailable from other sources, e.g. English Heritage, Heritage Lottery Fund.

Eligible works

Structural repairs

The following structural repairs using traditional materials and methods qualify:

• roofs
• leadwork, including flashings and valleys
• defective structural timbers, including timber framing and roofs
• brickwork and stonework
• structural faults
• historic windows, doors and other joinery

Repair and reinstatement to ancillary structures

Grants are available for the repair and reinstatements of ancillary structures, such as historic outbuildings, gates, walls and railings.

Reinstatement and missing architectural features

Where evidence exists, the reinstatement of architectural features such as windows and doors, to the original design also qualify for grant-aid.

Repair and reinstatement of traditional paving

Repair and reinstatement of traditional paving, particularly where this contributes to the character of the street scene.

Repairs to interior features

Repairs to interior features which contribute to the special nature of the building, such as ornate plasterwork, panelling or encaustic tiled floors would be eligible for grant aid.

Any works grant aided from another source will not be eligible.

Routine maintenance, provision or renewal of services, modernisation and works which are part of a scheme of adaptation or conversion to a new use, such as barn conversions, are not normally eligible.

Grant rates and availability

Grants are available at the following rates:

• Structural repairs: 25%
• Repair and reinstatement of ancillary structures: 50%
• Reinstatement of missing architectural features: 50%
• Repair and reinstatement of traditional paving: 50%
• Repairs of interior features which contribute to the special interest of the building 25%

Whilst grants may be offered at different rates as identified above, the maximum grant in any case will be £4,500.

In exceptional cases listed buildings included in the county-wide Buildings at Risk Register may qualify for a grant for structural repairs at a higher rate of up to 40% with a maximum of £7,500. (These figures may change from time to time.) The budget is limited, and applications are considered strictly on a 'first-come, first-served' basis. The decision to offer a grant or refuse an application is entirely at the council's discretion.

How to apply

1. Check that your building is eligible for a grant by contacting the Conservation Officer at our main offices. A site visit may be necessary, in which case an appointment will be arranged to view the building and discuss the proposed works.
2. Ask for an application form.
3. Check whether planning permission, listed building consent and/or building regulations approval is required for the work and if so submit the appropriate applications.
4. Obtain THREE independent written estimates for the costs of the work. (If the total cost of the work is less than £5,000 TWO estimates will be adequate.)
5. Fill in the application form and return it to the council with the estimates.
6. Wait for formal written notification of a decision. Do not start work until it arrives. If work starts before an offer has been made the application for a grant will be refused.

Grant conditions

To ensure that the public money put into the Historic Buildings Grant Scheme is properly spent, grants can only be paid for repairs carried out to high standards using the correct materials and methods. Offers of grant will usually include conditions regarding the method of repair, standards of workmanship and type of materials. If the conditions are not met the grant will not be paid.

Other sources of grant aid

1. English Heritage, the national body responsible for historic buildings, grant aids some buildings of major national importance. These are generally buildings listed Grade II* or Grade I. For details contact English Heritage, West Midlands Region, 112 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 3AG. Telephone: 0121-625 6820
2. House Renovation Grants may be available for repairs as well as the installation of basic facilities, subject to current regulations and the applicant's circumstances. For details contact the Environmental Health Section, Bridgnorth District Council, Westgate, Bridgnorth WV16 5AA. Telephone: 01746 713150

Further information

If you require more information about the Historic Buildings Grant Scheme, or advice on historic buildings and conservation areas in general, please contact the Conservation Officer in the Development Services Department at Bridgnorth District Council, Westgate, Bridgnorth WV16 5AA. Telephone: 01746 713148

Owning a listed building

Buildings are listed because they are of special architectural or historic interest. You can inspect a copy of the local list at tour main Westgate offices.

A Listed Building cannot be demolished, altered or extended in any way which affects its special interest without first obtaining Listed Building Consent from the council.

This applies to all of the exterior and interior of the building, not simply what is mentioned in the list description.

If you are not sure what is covered by the listing or what works might require Listed Building Consent, our Conservation Officer will be pleased to advise you.

It is an offence, carrying serious penalties, to carry out any unauthorised works to a Listed Building. You can get application forms for Listed Building Consent from our main Westgate offices.

Owners have a duty to maintain Listed Buildings in good repair and we actively encourage this. The Conservation Officer can give advice on appropriate methods of repair, materials and suppliers, architects, craftsmen and contractors.

However, if a Listed Building is allowed to fall into disrepair, a Repairs Notice may be served specifying repair works which must be done. In certain cases we can carry out works and recover the costs from the owner.

Conservation Areas in Bridgnorth district

Albrighton	Albrighton: Station Road	Alveley	Badger	Beckbury	Boningale
Bourton	Bridgnorth	Bridgnorth: Innage Gardens	Broseley	Burwarton	Chelmarsh
Claverley	Ditton Priors	Donnington and Albrighton	Haughton Village	Highley	Highley: Clee View
Kemberton	Morville	Much Wenlock	Neenton	Norton	Oldbury
Quatford	Quatt	Ryton	Severn Gorge (part)	Sheriffhales	Shifnal
Stottesdon	Tong	Weston-Under-Lizard (part)	Worfield

In addition to the normal planning controls, a number of special controls apply in Conservation Areas. Consent is needed for the demolition of most buildings, there is a small reduction in the size of extensions which can be built without planning permission and you need to give the District Council six weeks notice if you want to top, lop or fell most trees above a certain size.