Funds for Historic Buildings

Cadw can award Historic Buildings Grants only towards repairs to the historic fabric of buildings of outstanding historic or architectural intrerest.  External works to structures in Conservation Areas (areas designated by local authorities as areas of special architectural or historic interest which it is desirable to preserve or enhance) may be grant aided provided that the works make a significant contribution towards the preservation or enhancement of that area.

Generally a building does not have to be listed to be considered for a grant. However if a grant is awarded to a building which is unlisted (and which lies outside a conservation area) the building is usually listed shortly afterwards. Although a building may be listed, it will not necessarily qualify for grant aid.

Grants are available in the case of:

• religious buildings in use for worship (but see separate entry for grants to Church in Wales churches);
• buildings in the ownership of trusts or charitable bodies;
• domestic buildings in private ownership;
• commercial and industrial premises;
• buildings in public ownership.

Cadw places particular importance on the need to preserve outstanding buildings which may currently be in danger of disrepair or dereliction, and is always willing to give priority to buildings at risk which require urgent work.

Routine maintenance, alterations and conversion work are not eligible for grants under this scheme. Neither is routine service work such as re-wiring or the installation of security measures or central heating.

Conditions attached to Cadw grants include:
• that a professional advisor is appointed to supervise the work;
• that work must be carried out in full accordance with the specifications Cadw approves before the grant is formally offered;
• that the building should be well maintained in the future;
• that adequate insurance must be taken out and maintained for 10 years from the date the grant is accepted.

Cadw is empowered to recover all or part of the grant if, within ten years of the date of the payment of grant (or, if the grant is paid in instalments, within ten years of the date of payment of the first instalment) the property, or any part of it, is disposed of by sale, exchange or lease for a term of 21 years or more. Cadw must be notified before any proposed disposal.

For grants of £20,000 or more for private, commercial or industrial properties, Cadw will normally require the applicant to enter into a legal charge which will last for the ten year period or until the disposal of the property (whichever occurs sooner). This legal charge will be registered at the Land Registry and means that the property cannot be disposed of without notification. The grant conditions may specify that a degree of public access must be allowed.

Other than in exceptional circumstances (if a building is at severe risk) Cadw is unable to offer grant assistance retrospectively.

Many local planning authorities work with Cadw in jointly funding Town Scheme Partnerships, which provide repairs to the external features of an eligible property.

Normally it is a condition of grant that the owner or occupier of a grant-aided property should allow members of the public to see the property during the ten years after the first grant payment.  Arrangement to see private houses can be made by appointment on certain days of the year arranged by the owner (who may charge for access to their property).  A few sites can be viewed from a public place but there is no right of access.

Guideline rates are 50% of eligible costs for religious buildings, 40% for Trusts and charities and domestic / private buildings and 30% for commercial / industrial properties and public buildings. However grants are discretionary and sometimes a lower rate may be offered in the light of particular circumstances. A higher rate of grant may be allocated in exceptional circumstances only.

Grant is provided in cases where applicants lack the incentive or means to carry out the entirety of the project from their own resources, and applicants will be asked to indicate the maximum contribution which they can make. Cadw reserves the right to carry out a financial appraisal. An appraisal will always be carried out when a grant is sought which is higher than the guideline rate, or when a grant of more than £60,000 is sought by a private owner, or when the grant is in connection with a commercial enterprise.

Either in instalments (based on completion of agreed stages) or on completion of whole project. Payment will be made on the basis of architect's certificates, normally within five weeks of receipt. 20% is held back until the work carried out is confirmed to be in accordance with the specification.

No money can be paid in advance of the work (or agreed stages) being completed.