Leitrim County Council is inviting applications under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2025 as operated by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The grant scheme provides support to assist with the repair and conservation of Protected Structures and in certain cases, works to structures within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs). The grant scheme also provides funding for Historic Shopfronts and Vernacular Buildings (including thatch).

The scheme supports essential repairs and smaller capital works for the refurbishment and conservation of heritage structures and the employment of conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons.

A significant change for 2025 is the incorporation of the former Historic Structures Fund (HSF) Stream 1 projects into the BHIS.  This allows for an increase in the upper limit of funding per project to a maximum of €50,000 and an increase in the percentage of State support to 80% of costs.  

The HSF will be advertised later this year and will reflect previous Stream 2 funding. An application under the BHIS does not preclude a later application under the HSF, but only one grant can be availed of per structure.

Under the BHIS, grants of between €2,500 and €50,000 will be awarded, with applicants required to provide a minimum of 80% of total costs.  

For the BHIS grant scheme, eligible structures include:

• Protected Structures: Structures included in the Record of Protected Structures (RPS) of each Local Authority area.
• Proposed Protected Structures: Structures proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved. Such structures must be added to the RPS by 31 December 2024.
• Structures in Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs): where it can be demonstrated that the works will enhance the character and appearance of an ACA.

Full details on the terms and conditions of the grant scheme, application form and checklist are available on the links below:

• BHIS 2025 Guidance Booklet for Applicants
• BHIS 2025 Guidance Application Form A
• BHIS 2025 Qualifying and Non-Qualifying Works
• BHIS 2025 Application Form A
• BHIS 2025 Application Form A Checklist

Applicants should read the scheme guidelines and be familiar with the qualifying criteria and conditions of the grant scheme.

Applicants must ensure that all elements of Application Form A and the Application Form A Checklist are fully and correctly completed and that a Method Statement (prepared by a conservation professional) has been provided. The Checklist is to be returned in MS Word format.

Applications by email must be clearly marked BHIS 2025 and emailed to planning@leitrimcoco.ie

The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 4pm Friday 27th September 2024.

Please note that late applications and/or incomplete applications will not be accepted.