Directory of Traditional Building Skills - Mourne Heritage Trust

Appendix 2: GRANTS AND OTHER ASSISTANCEHistoric Buildings GrantIn some cases owners of listed buildings can obtain grant aid from the Environment andHeritage Service. Grants may be given towards the cost of repair and restoration of historicelements and associated professional fees. Priority is given to the repair of the existing fabricrather than replacement. The Historic Buildings grants scheme changes from time to time andfor current information and advice on grant assistance you should enquire at the Environmentand Heritage Service office at Waterman House, 5-33 Hill Street, Belfast BT1 2LA, Tel: 0289054 3064, Fax: 028 9054 3150, Email: hb@doeni.gov.uk, www.ehsni.gov.uk. In order not tojeopardise an application, work on a project should not commence until an offer of grantassistance has been made.The Environment and Heritage Service may also be able to provide historical information andtechnical advice to owners. This can include advice on the acceptability of proposed works andinformation on historically correct materials and detailing. This is an advisory service, and it isrecommended that, where an owner proposes to carry out works, consultants experienced inthis specialist area are employed.Heritage Lottery FundThe Heritage Lottery Fund has a number of grant programmes that may be applicable toprojects involving an historic building or area, such as a conservation area or public park. Tobe supported, projects must relate to the national, regional or local heritage of the UK andshould aim to conserve or enhance our diverse heritage, encourage more people to be involvedin their heritage and make sure that everyone can learn about, have access to and enjoy theirheritage. Applicant organisations must be not-for-profit and can include charitableorganisations, such as local community groups or building preservation trusts, ecclesiasticalbodies, local authorities and partnerships. For further information on current HLF grantprogrammes contact the Northern Ireland regional office at 51-53 Adelaide Street, Belfast BT28FE, Tel: 028 9031 0120, Fax: 028 9031 0121, www.hlf.org.uk.Renovation GrantThe Northern Ireland Housing Executive may grant aid the cost of improvement andconversion subject to means testing. In certain circumstances the Executive may also grant aidrepair. Such grants do not necessarily exclude the Historic Buildings grant, which should alsobe applied for as appropriate. Further details can be obtained from your local HousingExecutive Grants office, which will send you a preliminary enquiry form. Their telephonenumber and address is listed in the Phone Book Business and Services Section under HousingExecutive and can also be found on their website www.nihe.gov.uk.Architectural Heritage FundThe Architectural Heritage Fund is a London based charity that can provide advice,information and financial assistance, in the form of grants and low interest loans, to BuildingsPreservation Trusts and other charities undertaking work to historic buildings. They cannothelp private owners, or buildings in continuing long-term ownership or use. The AHFwelcomes contact at as early a stage as possible: Clareville House, 26/27 Oxendon Street,London SW1Y 4EL, Tel: 020 7930 0199, Fax: 020 7930 0295, Email: ahf@ahfund.org.uk,www.ahfund.org.uk.The AHF has compiled a further useful source of advice and information, which should be of155