GrantRadar

Leicester City Council

Historic Buildings Grant Scheme

Small grants from Leicester City Council towards external repairs and the reinstatement of traditional features on listed buildings, local heritage assets and historic buildings in conservation areas in Leicester. Grants cover 50% of eligible costs, up to £6,000 for nationally listed buildings and £3,000 for buildings in conservation areas or local heritage assets. Buildings on the heritage at risk registers are prioritised, and you must apply before starting any work.

Apply on the funder’s site
You could get
Up to £6,000
no fixed round
Deadline
Rolling
apply any time
Effort
Moderate
full application with documents

Who can apply

  • Freeholders and leaseholders (with the freeholder's permission where needed) of properties in Leicester that are nationally listed, locally listed as a local heritage asset, or historic buildings in a conservation area
  • Properties in the Knighton and Stoneygate conservation areas are currently not eligible, because grants are not available in the 40% least deprived areas nationally (2015 Index of Multiple Deprivation)
  • Each property can receive one grant offer per financial year and at most two grants in five years
  • In exceptional circumstances a higher percentage and amount may be offered, particularly where works have substantial public or community benefit (e.g. voluntary and not-for-profit organisations)

What it funds

External repairs in traditional materials, and reinstatement of lost or irreparable traditional features, to the primary elevation (fronting a public highway or open public space):

  • Repairs of original windows and doors
  • Reinstatement of traditional windows and doors (where lost or beyond repair)
  • Reinstatement of lost architectural features
  • Reinstatement of traditional roof coverings (e.g. Swithland slate) and rooftop features (e.g. ridge tiles, chimneystacks)
  • Rooftop repairs (e.g. chimneystacks, slipped slates or tiles) where there is public benefit
  • Repairs and reinstatement of traditional rainwater goods (e.g. cast-iron downpipes)
  • Stonework and brickwork repairs
  • Repointing
  • Reinstatement and repairs of traditional boundary treatments

What it will not fund

  • Internal works (unless in exceptional circumstances, where there is external impact)
  • Alterations to rear and side elevations where there is no public benefit
  • Installation of PVC or uPVC features (e.g. guttering, windows and doors)
  • Injection of damp-proof membranes
  • Redecoration (e.g. repainting)
  • Scaffolding
  • General maintenance works (e.g. removal of vegetation)
  • Works started before the grant is offered and accepted (unless in exceptional circumstances)
  • Works without the necessary statutory consents, or subject to council enforcement action
  • Properties in the 40% least deprived areas nationally, which currently means the Knighton and Stoneygate conservation areas (unless in exceptional circumstances)

How to apply

  1. Check your property's designation using the council's mapping tool and conservation area pages
  2. Get three detailed quotations for the eligible works and any statutory consents needed (listed building consent, planning permission, building regulations)
  3. Download and complete the application pack, listing the eligible works and their costs
  4. Return the form with supporting documents to the Conservation Team, Leicester City Council, City Hall, 2nd Floor Halford Wing, 115 Charles Street, Leicester LE1 1FZ
  5. Accept any grant offer in writing within four weeks, and do not start work until the grant is offered and accepted
  6. Claim the grant on completion by submitting paid invoices; it is paid to you, not the contractor

interim payments of up to 50% of the grant may be made in exceptional circumstances.

Have ready

  • Completed application form
  • Proof of freehold or leasehold of the property
  • Three detailed quotations for the eligible works
  • Copy of any statutory consent notifications (decision notices), if required
  • Evidence of the freeholder's permission to carry out the works, if required
  • Copy of any other grant offers or award letters received, if any

measured drawings of new architectural features, with 1:5 or 1:10 cross-sections, may be needed before or as a condition of the offer.

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