COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

MOTION NO.   6

MOTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin

"That this Area Committee agrees to apply to either the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2022 or the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) 2022 for funding that can contribute towards the costs of renovation of Kilmadudrick Church and Thomas Omar Lock House. The heritage funding schemes have been published in press and are described here : https://www.sdcc.ie/en/services/planning/heritage-and-conservation/financial-support. "

REPORT:

The Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) are running again next year (2022) and both are funded by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Both schemes run in tandem and there are different streams and funding available. Applicants apply to South Dublin County Councils Architectural Conservation Section before the closing date of the 28th January 2022. All applications are then assessed and those that qualify under the scheme are submitted for formal provisional approval by the Departments Architectural Protection Unit. Please note that the 2 sites listed in the motion are not owned by SDCC. A funding application under the  schemes needs to be initiated by the landowner. 

Built Heritage Investment Scheme
The allocation for South Dublin County Council under the scheme for 2022 has been increased to €96,000. The fund is intended to assist with works to safeguard Protected Structures 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 have invited owners of Protected Structures and buildings within Architectural Conservation Areas to apply under this scheme and details have been advertised and are available on the Councils website. Applications can be lodged for grants of between €2,500 up to a maximum of €15,000. Only one application under BHIS can be made by the Local Authority and the application if appropriate would be made by the relevant Council Department/Section with responsibility for the specific site and submitted to the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer.
As part of the any grant application a Method Statement for the proposed conservation works is required and the works must qualify under the terms and conditions of the grant scheme. The applicant must also provide funds to match 50% of the cost of the works and therefore any application submitted by SDCC will be dependent on available funding and staff resources.

Historic Structures Fund
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. There are a number of different funding streams available as follows;
1. 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.
2. 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’.
3. 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.

Applicants cannot avail of funding under both the Historic Structures Fund and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme in the same year.

Applications under HSF can be made by both private and public owners. Any application if appropriate would be made by the relevant Council Department/Section with responsibility for the specific site and submitted to the Councils Architectural Conservation Officer.

As part of the any grant application a Method Statement for the proposed conservation works is required and the works must qualify under the terms and conditions of the grant scheme. Any application submitted under HSF by SDCC will again be dependent on available funding and staff resources.