Funding
Financial assistance may be available to projects and individuals in certain circumstances. However there is no automatic entitlement to grants if you live in a listed building. It is the responsibility of individual property owners to maintain their property, irrespective of age or designation, to an adequate standard.
Limited grant funding may be available from Argyll and Bute Council in specific regeneration projects to assist property owners in preserving the external fabric and traditional appearance of their historic buildings. Repair grants operate in specific regeneration projects for a limited period only.
Argyll and Bute Council are currently running regeneration schemes in:
- Campbeltown
- Rothesay
Each had their own individual website and project officer.
Argyll and Bute Council also has a dedicated resource designed to help groups find their way through the funding maze. The dedicated website shows where you can get help to develop your project, information on sources of funding, links to sites that will give you tips on funding and free software, and the monthly funding bulletin, Funding Alert, that has the latest funding information and deadlines.
Historic Scotland run various grant schemes covering; Building Repair Grants, Grants for places of Worship, Archaeology Grants, Ancient Monuments Grants and more.
For community groups, trusts, charities etc. the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) can be a valuable source of funding. The AHF cannot help private owners, developers, religious buildings in continuing use or projects that only involve routine maintenance and repairs.
The Heritage Lottery Fund also has different grant programs suitable for many different types of heritage projects.
The Funds for Historic Buildings website is a comprehensive guide to funding for anyone seeking to repair, restore or convert for a new use any historic building in the United Kingdom.
Links
The RCAHMS Buildings at Risk service has produced an excellent directory of links; similarly the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland also has a very useful links page.
Building Preservation Trusts (BPTs) are not-for-profit organisations which rescue historic buildings for the benefit of the public. They operate throughout the UK, contracting to carry out work that is necessary to ensure the preservation of heritage assets.
The Institute of Historic Building Conservation is the professional body for building conservation practitioners and historic environment experts working in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, with connections to the Republic of Ireland. The Institute exists to establish, develop and maintain the highest standards of conservation practice, to support the effective protection and enhancement of the historic environment, and to promote heritage-led regeneration and access to the historic environment for all.
The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings is a useful resource for information on historic buildings.
Built Environment Forum Scotland (BEFS) is a membership organisation bringing together voluntary and professional non-governmental organisations that operate at a national level and represent people who work within the built environment sector.
The Scottish Lime Centre Trust promotes the knowledge and traditional skills required for the conservation, repair and maintenance of the historic built environment. They work nationally and internationally to provide advice, guidance and traditional skills training for anyone dealing with a historic structure.
The Scottish Civic Trust is the national body for the civic movement in Scotland. It engages proactively with local civic groups across Scotland and regularly comments and campaigns for the improvement of Scotland's individual buildings and areas of distinction.
The Scottish Redundant Churches Trust (SRCT) is a charity that saves historic churches at risk. They work with communities to secure the future of their churches through expert conservation and creative regeneration.
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