Department for Communities (DfC): Historic Environment Fund - Roof and Window Repair Stream

Overview

The Historic Environment Fund has been set up by the Department to stimulate action across the historic environment in support of this aim.

It is divided into four streams:

• Heritage Repair;
• Heritage Research;
• Heritage Regeneration; and
• Heritage Revival.

Heritage Repair

Last year they changed the process to accept applications a year in advance of the work being undertaken, therefore this year (2024), they will be operating the same way, accepting applications for repair work to roofs and windows planned to be completed in the financial year 2025 - 2026.

The advantage is that you should have a longer period to prepare (this year), and carry out work next year.

The disadvantage is that they cannot commit to support you until their 2025/26 budget has been confirmed.

Why focus on roofs and windows?

Much damage to listed buildings can be traced to roofs in need of repair. Windows in good repair are essential to minimise heat loss and maximise comfort. Investment in small scale work can help to tackle such damage, spread available funds further, and encourage maintenance.

Roof and Window Repair Stream

Application for up to £8k or 15k per building (non- thatched and thatched buildings respectively) is invited based upon compliance with the terms of this stream, for works in 2025-26.

The Scheme

1. A fund up to a maximum of £8k per application for roof and window repair (£15k for thatched buildings) to support owners to carry out minimum work to keep listed buildings watertight in the financial year 2025/26.
2. The fund is open to all listed buildings except churches.
3. Work to historic slated roofs, leadwork, chimney repairs, modern flat roofs, thatch roofs, ‘tin’ roofs, windows and glazing repairs are eligible. As their focus is on repairs, they will only support replacement windows where it is clear that they cannot be repaired. This list is not exhaustive and the principal aim of this support is to keep water from damaging the historic fabric of listed buildings.
4. If oversubscribed, then buildings on the Heritage at Risk list, thatch buildings and buildings with owners on qualifying benefits will be prioritised. If further prioritisation is required then roofs considered in most need, evidence that there are efforts to maintain and that have proposals compliant with BS 7913:2013 (see guidance) will be supported first. Dependent on budget allocation, schemes may then also be prioritised based on required information being received by the Department in a timely manner.
5. All applications must provide evidence of what is proposed and why it is regarded as the minimum necessary. You should send them photos and a sketch of what the problem is and the proposed solution. If this is not made clear then applications will not be considered and will be rejected.
6. Thatch applications must complete the detail specification form, Annex A. This must be completed by your thatcher. If this is not provided then the application will not be considered and will be rejected.
7. Where work requires listed building consent, planning approval and/or building control approval, this should generally have been obtained prior to application for funding.
8. The Department will issue a Schedule of Requirements (SOR) based upon the evidence submitted. You will be asked to sign up to this schedule and to return it to them in advance of work commencing. This schedule will reflect advice published in the Division’s Grant Advisory Standards document on our website. They will not pay for any work unless carried out to this standard.
9. Offers will cover costs of repairs and of associated work by agents up to the stated limit.
10. Funding offers are made in the name of the original applicant, therefore change of ownership during the grant process may invalidate your application.
11. It will not be a requirement to appoint an agent providing the work will comply fully with the SOR but professionals accredited in architectural conservation are recommended for projects with a total cost of more than £10,000.
12. No support will be provided for agents fees in advance of completed works, and only fees associated with the repair of historic fabric will be eligible.
13. Payment will be based upon evidence of payment for approved work and will be limited to work completed by 31 March 2026.
14. Interim payments will not be provided.
15. Claims for projects that involve elements other than roof and/or window works will need to separate costs relating to this work to allow calculation of payment.
16. Work must be procured based upon three quotes or, for thatched buildings, evidence that this has been sought.
17. All awards will be published on the HED website and social media

Eligibility

Work they can fund

They can offer assistance towards the repair of the original fabric of historic listed buildings, where it can be demonstrated that the works are necessary. They may also offer assistance with some associated professional fees.

They will seek work that complies with BS 7913:2013 ‘Guide to the Conservation of Historic Buildings’. In summary:

• proposals should be based upon a clear understanding of the significance of the building.
• proposals should demonstrate a full understanding of the constituent materials and the origin of the problem.
• they should be the minimum necessary to stabilise and conserve the building.
• they should seek to use traditional materials and matching repair techniques.
• work should be legible i.e. repairs should be carried out without any attempt to disguise them, but should not be unduly obtrusive or unsympathetic.
• alterations should be designed to minimise their impact on the significance of the building, and avoid losing features that contribute to that significance

Other Matters

1. Applicants and their agents must be aware of, and comply with, their duties and responsibilities in relation to CDM (Construction Design and Management Regulations 2016): https://www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/ construction-design-and-managementregulations-northern-ireland-2016.
2. Applicants/contractors should be aware of, and comply with, the Buildsafe NI Initiative. This initiative was formulated to eliminate deaths and substantially reduce injuries through improvements in the application and management of health and safety within the construction industry.
3. Bats are protected under legislation and it is an offence to disturb bats and their roosts. The property, and any adjacent trees to be affected, should be surveyed for bats. Depending on the type of works proposed it may be necessary for you to commission a bat survey to confirm if bats are present or not, and how to proceed [or not] if they are found. This may be required regardless of whether works are being carried out with funding assistance or not. Any bat survey is the responsibility of the owner. The earlier in the process that bats are taken into account the less disruption to work plans there will be. For further information, please see the guidance below: https://www.daera-ni. gov.uk/publications/bats-development
4. Insurance - Applicants should assure themselves that their agent (if applicable) and contractor are adequately insured for the work to be carried out. This may include professional indemnity insurance, public liability insurance and employer’s liability insurance where appropriate. The following advice provides information on levels of insurance normally sought for government funded contracts: https:// www.finance-ni.gov.uk/publications/ procurement-guidance-note-0312-liabilityand-insurance-government-contracts