Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund 2024
On 2nd November Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, launched the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) for 2024.
The total funding of €9 million across the two schemes is expected to support repair and maintenance of over 550 historic structures in every local authority area across the country in 2024. These will range from small-scale, labour-intensive projects in individual homes, up to larger-scale projects in major public buildings. This funding will help owners and custodians of our built heritage to undertake the repair and rejuvenation of these historic buildings, presenting them to their best effect today and safeguarding them into the future.
Built Heritage Investment Scheme
• The 2024 Built Heritage Investment Scheme will provide grants of up to €15,000 to individual owners for small-scale works to repair and preserve their historic properties.
• BHIS includes ring-fenced funding of €500,000 for thatched buildings. This will fund conservation repairs to historic thatched structures, helping owners to offset other costs and protecting these cherished buildings into the future.
Historic Structures Fund
• The 2024 Historic Structures Fund will offer up to €200,000 for projects that deliver a major community benefit.
• It also offers funding for vernacular structures and for historic shopfronts. The Historic Shopfront Stream provides funding for the refurbishment and conservation historic shop facades to safeguard these distinctive features of our towns, villages, and cities.
• The Vernacular Stream provides funding for conservation repairs and small capital works to vernacular structures that are not listed in the local authority Record of Protected Structures.
Both schemes are managed by Laois County Council, and forms should be returned to Laois County Council by the closing date 26th January 2024
House in Ballyroan funded through the BHIS in 2019
Built Heritage Investment Scheme
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is designed to support owners and custodians in caring for our built heritage and ensuring that it is protected into the future. Buildings must be on the Laois Record of Protected Structures. Details of the 2024 scheme are below.
BHIS 2024 Guidance Booklet for Applicants
BHIS 2024 Guidance Application Form
The closing date for applications under both schemes is 26th January 2024.
Historic Structures Fund
The primary focus of the Historic Structures Fund will be on conservation and enhancement of historic structures and buildings for the benefit of communities and the public.
Details for the scheme are below. Please note the requirement for an appropriately qualified conservation professional to oversee the works, and for a comprehensive and sound methodology to accompany the application.
Full details are in the Scheme Guidelines below.
HSF 2024 Guidance Application Form
HSF 2024 Guidance Booklet for Applicants
HSF2024 Appendix I Form A Applicant
The closing date for applications under both schemes is 26th January 2024.
All applications under the Historic Structures fund must be accompanied by a completed form A and a comprehensive method statement prepared by a conservation professional.
For further information please contact:
Thomas Carolan, Heritage Officer, Laois County Council.
email tcarolan@laoiscoco.ie, phone 057-8664129.