Guide to Eligible Works
General Principles:
The Caistor Townscape Heritage Initiative was created to provide financial assistance to property owners to encourage the conservation, regeneration and enhancement of historic buildings and street features. These things make a positive contribution to the character and/or appearance of the area within the Caistor Conservation Area designated for the THI Scheme. The Heritage Lottery Fund, the European Regional Development Fund, the East Midlands Development Agency, Lincolnshire County Council and West Lindsey District Council fund it jointly. West Lindsey District Council now administers the scheme on behalf of the funding partners.
The hope for this THI is to be the catalyst that enables Caistor to begin the journey to economic renewal, bringing more tenants, more visitors and more residents into town. Community support is vital to the success of this project. This THI project is not merely 'window dressing'. The main aim for this grant project is to facilitate the repair and conservation of the buildings within the historic market town of Caistor. The benefit will be for the entire community.
All work must be undertaken with respect for the character and integrity of the building or structure, and of the Caistor Conservation Area in which it lies, in accordance with the relevant National conservation policies, published guidance and advice issued or endorsed by English Heritage, the Heritage Lottery Fund and West Lindsey District Council.
The works should be well considered, fully detailed and as comprehensive in scope as necessary, whilst retaining as much historic fabric as possible. Repair is preferred to replacing of original details and materials. Materials used and construction methods must be appropriate to the character of the building. The reason for the high grant rates is to encourage the highest level of quality work and to resolve all existing issues that prevent the building from being sound.
Eligible Categories of Work:
Grant Category A: Reinstating Architectural Details
The objective is to reinstate lost elements of the exterior of the building, which represented its historic essence and character. For example, removing modern interventions such as UPVC windows and doors, PVC rainwater goods, cement tiles and the like for more historically accurate materials such as single glazed box sash rope and cord windows, solid wood doors with the appropriate mouldings and trim, clay pan tiles and cast iron rainwater goods. The highest level of quality is required to ensure the sustainability of the work. Other items that are eligible are: ornamental masonry, joinery, lost shop fronts and ornamental metalwork. Reinstatement cannot be speculative but must be based on research and evidence. Any works must also take care not to damage or remove any existing original fabric or material.
Grant Category B: Building and Structural Repairs
This grant is to enable the owner of a property, in use, to make their building sound and sustainable. It covers structural and external building repairs and some internal repairs, but only if the work is necessary for structural stability or external works affect the interior. It does not include routine maintenance or redecoration. Repairs should be extensive and ensure that the problem is resolved, in addition to using appropriate techniques and materials. For example, works can include strengthening or reinforcing the building, repairs to roof and roof structures, chimneys, rot and damp, repairing or renewing existing rainwater goods, lead work, external stonework and brickwork and repairing or renewing external render.
Grant Category C: Vacant Floor Space
If your building is vacant and not currently in use nor habitable, then you may be eligible for this grant category. Vacant space within partly used building may be eligible as well. The building must be sound and in good repair, or will be put in good repair as part of the project. All aspects of the physical work of conversion may be eligible, including necessary alterations (inside and outside), basic decoration and providing basic services such as heating, lighting and plumbing. It is important that the vacant space has a new use planned for as well.
Have questions? Want to learn more?
Please contact Jules Renfrew, the Caistor THI Project Officer at 01427 676676 for assistance.
