Bringing Vacant Historic Floor Space Back Into Use

Grants in this category help to fund the necessary works to bring vacant historic floor space back in to use. This includes vacant space within partly used historic buildings, such as unused upper floors over shops. Proposals for such work must respect the character and interest of the building internally as well as externally.

Since the objective is to bring vacant floorspace back into use, all aspects of the physical work of conversion will be eligible, including necessary alterations both internal and external. Internal work will normally involve decoration, but furnishings, and services beyond the basic provision of heat, light and power, are not eligible. Grants to bring floorspace into use must only be offered if the building is in sound repair, or will be made so through concurrent repair work.

The grant from the common fund should cover the "conservation deficit", that is the difference between the cost of conversion and exterior and interior repair work, and the value when converted. Grants cannot contribute to the cost of fitting out space for a specific use.

Proposals to bring vacant historic floor space back into use will involve individual assessment by a qualified independent professional. A reasonable developer's profit may be included. However, where the value of the property on completion is significantly higher than forecast, we may seek to recover all or part of the grant.

Back to the Townscape Heritage Initiative