Funding: Property

Historic building grants
A11 corridor partnership scheme

Historic building grants

These grants help with the repair and conservation of historic buildings and conservation areas in Tower Hamlets.

Assessment

We normally apply the following criteria, although we may make exceptions in unusual circumstances.

• the building must normally be included in the statutory list of buildings of special architectural or historic interest, or situated within a designated conservation area or included in the local list of buildings of historic interest
• grants are normally available for the repair/refurbishment of the exterior of the building only
• work considered to be routine maintenance is not eligible
• applicants may be asked to provide financial information relevant to the project and their own circumstances. We will treat this information confidentially
• grants are targeted to achieve the maximum visual benefit to the general community. Preference will be given to reinstating architectural features (such as railings and stucco decoration): works which are generally expensive and usually of little practical benefit to the applicant
• grants are targeted to assist in the regeneration of the urban environment of Tower Hamlets. Preference will be given to buildings at risk that blight the local environment and inhibit regeneration.

Who can apply

Applications may be made by anyone or any organisation, as long as you are in a position to carry out the works.

Priorities for funding

Preference will be given to charities and private individuals on low incomes.

Types of funding

The percentage offered will depend on the cost of the works being undertaken, the means of the applicant and the benefits of the proposed works to the wider environment.

On schemes which cost more than £40,000 we are only able to offer a grant of 25 per cent or less.

Contact

Conservation and Urban Design Team
Grants Officer
41-47 Bow Road
London E3 2DS

Tel: 020 7364 5000
E-mail: dr.developmentcontrol@towerhamlets.gov.uk

A11 corridor partnership scheme

The partnership area includes all buildings bordering the A11 corridor (Whitechapel High Street, Whitechapel Road, Mile End Road, Bow Road). The prevalent architectural style of the area is Georgian and Victorian with much open space on Mile End Waste and Stepney Green. The scheme is run in association with English Heritage.

Assessment

In deciding whether a proposed building improvement is a priority for conservation area partnership funding, we consider:

1 The importance of the property

2 The urgency and nature of the work
Only structural repairs and repair (including reinstatement) of historic details are eligible: these can include essential repairs to roofs, stonework, brickwork, pointing, timbers, structural joinery and rainwater goods, all of which should be in natural or traditional materials (e.g. natural stone, slates of British origin, clay pan tiles, cast iron, etc). It is less usual for interior repairs to receive grants, although such work can be eligible if it results directly from repairs to the structure, or is vital to the preservation of the structure.

3 The need for help

• grant aid will only be given to private homes and residences when the cost of the repairs approaches or exceeds the open market value of the property in its fully repaired state
• grant aid will not be used to subsidise owners, nor to compensate for unrealistic purchase costs
• for the repair and conversion of redundant or under-used properties, grant aid will be considered if there is a likely shortfall between total projects costs and final market value.

Types of funding

Listed buildings/at risk buildings grant
To qualify, your building must be listed or on English Heritage's building at risk register. Grants will be awarded at a discretionary rate of over 60 per cent for repairs.

Unlisted buildings grant
To qualify, your building must be locally listed, be within a conservation area boundary or be a building of townscape benefit to the corridor. Grants will be awarded at a discretionary rate of over 60 per cent for repairs.

Reinstatement of architectural features grant
To qualify, your building must be within the conservation area boundary or identified in the action plan, and prepared work must be to improve/restore original shop front features. Grants will be awarded to a maximum of 75 per cent of eligible costs.

Grants are paid out on the satisfactory completion of works, and submission of relevant accounts. Interim payments against work in progress may be made at Bethnal Green City Challenge's discretion. Grants will exclude value added tax (VAT) in cases where it can be recovered. Buildings in receipt of grants from public funds should be adequately insured against fire.

How to apply

Complete an application form, available from the council's conservation team. You need to include:

• details of building regulations approval
• details of competitive tender (at least three written estimates)
• two copies of the priced specifications of the works
• details of planning permission
• details of listed building consent
• details of start date and completion
• two copies of drawings, e.g. plans, elevations
• suitable photographs of the building(s).

Contact

London Gateway Conservation Area Partnership Scheme Co-ordinating Officer
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
41-47 Bow Road
London E3 2BS

Tel: 020 7364 5371
Fax: 020 736 45421
E-mail: dr.developmentcontrol@towerhamlets.gov.uk