Wellingborough Townscape

Wellingborough Townscape

Heritage Initiative

Grant Scheme

Application Process

Pre-Application

· You are advised to contact the THI Project Manager do discuss your project.

· The THI Project Manager will be able to work with you to assess the works that are needed and what can be funded.

· Guidance notes on the Small Grant Scheme and Shop Front Scheme are available from the THI Project Manager or online at: www.wellingborough.gov.uk

· To apply for the grant, you must own or lease the property.

In the case of a lease must have at least 10 years still to run. If you do not have such an interest, you must get the owner or leaseholder to make the application with you jointly. A lease with a break clause in it will not be acceptable.

· If you have made a successful application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for any other grant or loan towards this project, you will not be eligible for THI grant.

· You will be expected to make a contribution to the total cost of the works.

Stage One – Initial Contact

· Contact the THI Project Manager for a preliminary discussion about any proposed works. This initial discussion will help you to gain a clear understanding of whether your proposal is eligible for Grant Assistance, consider which works are eligible for grant aid under this scheme, the likelihood of you receiving grant aid and if any Local Authority Consents or notifications will be required.

· You will be asked to submit an Expression of Interest Form before a Preliminary Application can be completed.

· The THI Project Manager and the Conservation Officer will conduct a site visit to discuss the project and the requirements for any grant application.

· If the application is suitable, you will be asked to submit a Preliminary Application form including an outline schedule and costs of the scheme.

· Applications for THI Grants cannot be made retrospectively. You will not be paid any grant money if:

1. You start the eligible works before your application is approved.

2. You start eligible works after you have been awarded a grant but before you have entered into a contract with the Borough Council of Wellingborough i.e. before you have received written Notification of Grant Assistance and returned the Grant Acceptance Notice.

Professional Advice

You must appoint an appropriately experienced and qualified professional, such as an architect, to plan and oversee the works to completion if the grant contribution if likely to be over £50,000.

If the grant contribution is likely to be less than this amount, you are still advised to appoint an experienced and qualified professional to oversee the works. Professional fees are eligible for grant aid at the same rate as the complete project.

Stage Two – Full Application

Once you have a clear idea of which works are likely to be eligible for grant aid, you will be asked to draw up a schedule of works. This information is necessary to identify specific repairs and enable further discussions about eligible works with the THI Project Manager.

When a schedule of eligible works has been agreed, a specification for the works can be drawn up which itemises the details of the repair, including materials and methods to be used. All repair works to the building must be undertaken with respect for the character and integrity of the building, and of the area in which it lies. Advice on appropriate materials and techniques of repair can be obtained from the THI Project Manager or Conservation Officer and must be in accordance with relevant national policies and advice issued or endorsed by English Heritage.

Once your schedule of works and specifications has been agreed, you will be asked to provide quotations (or tenders) for the works detailed in the ‘Schedule of Works’.

Making an application

The application form must be completed and returned with a substantial amount of detailed information about the proposed works. Incomplete applications will not be processed until all the information is supplied.

The following is required in addition to the application form in all instances:

Must be able to demonstrate your interest in the property and provide proof of ownership and/or possession of the property. This documentation must also identify any encumbrances.

If the proposed works require any statutory consents (such as planning permission, listed building consent, scheduled monument consent or building regulation approval), copies of any relevant notifications must be attached.

Any outstanding issues of Planning Enforcement or unauthorised work to the property need to be resolved in writing to the satisfaction of the Borough Council of Wellingborough. Copies of such correspondence/notifications must be attached. (Additional conditions of approval may be imposed to address such issues).

If you have had any grant offers or awards from other sources, you must attach copies of any relevant letters. These should indicate the amount and any conditions attached to the grant offer. You must also tell us if you have applied for any other grants.

5. You must show that the required insurances are in place.

Stage Two – Full application (cont’d)

You will be asked to include a summary of eligible works proposed and attach full details of the proposed works with the application. In most instances this will be the same requirements needed for your planning application. This should include:

· a full specification of works

· Drawings; relevant annotated plans, elevational and cross sectional drawings at an appropriate scale.

· Photographs of relevant elevations and details

· Work programme and cost plan etc. as appropriate.

Tendering

· Two written quotations based on a clear written specification where the estimated value of works is up to and including £10,000.

· Three formal competitive tenders for works which exceed £10,000

You should only invite tenders from contractors known to achieve the standards required and with demonstrable experience of working on conservation projects.

You may be required to seek further quotes or Tenders at the request of the THI office.

The Borough Council of Wellingborough does not recommend any contractors. However, the Conservation Officer is able to provide a list of local contractors available.

If you wish to accept a tender other than the lowest, you must submit written reasons why, when submitting your application. If the THI Board does not agree with these, any grant awarded will be reduced by a percentage, which reflects the difference between the lowest acceptable tender to the THI Board and the one you accept.

Bringing Vacant Floorspace back into Use

For a project which will bring vacant floorspace back into use a development appraisal is also required. These grants will be calculated on a case by case basis according to the conservation deficit funding method. A percentage grant rate may be applicable in some instances, depending on which is more appropriate to the particular project.

Development appraisals (if grant is on deficit basis) from the financial basis for calculating grants towards the ‘conservation deficit’ – that is the difference between the costs of the conversion and the external and internal repair works and other development costs, and any added value when converted.

A development appraisal takes the form of a residual valuation. This is a technical term for an assessment of all the costs in bringing a building back into use in comparison with the value of the building once the works have been completed. Valuation must be carried out by an appropriately qualified independent professional valuer.

The residual valuation

The following costs are considered as part of a residual valuation:

· Acquisition costs

· Construction costs

· Professional and statutory fees relating to the development

· Legal fees on acquisition and disposal

· Estate agency fees on disposal

· Financing charges

Stage 3 – Assessment and Offer Procedure

Once an application has been made, the assessment process is led by the THI Project Manager and Conservation Officer working with the Project Steering Group. The Steering Group and Programme Board will ensure the application meets the assessment criteria and the priorities of the THI Scheme.

All applications will be referred to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to be approved. Please be advised that this may add anywhere between 10-31 days to the grant decision timetable.

Shop front improvement and Main Building Grant Applications

All applications for a Shop Front Improvement or Main Building grant aid will be assessed on a property-by-property basis and against the following criteria:

Ø Whether the building has been identified as a high priority property

Ø The conservation and heritage merit of the building, and the extent to which the proposals will enhance this

Ø The need for repair of the building

Ø The use of appropriate materials and techniques of repair, in keeping with national conservation standards

Ø The extent to which architectural details will be reinstated

Ø The regard paid to the special character and interest of the property and the Conservation Area and its setting

Ø Whether the proposals fully meet the criteria set out in the Guide to Eligible Works

Ø Whether the cost of the project is reasonable and provides Value for Money

Ø Whether appropriately qualified and experienced professional advisors and contractors are proposed.

Other documentation must be submitted with the application and the Project Steering Group must be satisfied with:

Ø A full schedule and specification of works

Ø Drawings – relevant annotated plans, elevation and cross sectional drawings at an appropriate scale and a site plan (Ordnance Survey extract)

Ø Photographs of relevant elevations and details

Ø Structural Survey (if appropriate)

Ø An up to date valuation of the property in its current condition and where the building is to be brought back into reuse, an estimated valuation of the building once the project has been completed. ( not required for Shop Front grants )

Ø Historical justification for the proposals

Ø Details of a suitable professional advisor to develop and manage the works, if the grant contribution is likely to be over £50,000

Ø A work programme and cost plan as appropriate, providing value for money

Ø Three detailed, itemised, like for like tenders for the work where the eligible works are over £10,000 and two detailed quotes where the eligible works are under £10,000

Ø A development appraisal, where the building is being brought back into reuse

Ø Copies of any relevant notifications if the proposed works require any statutory consents (such as planning permission, listed building consent or building regulations approval)

Ø Any outstanding issues of Planning Enforcement or unauthorised work to the property need to be resolved in writing to the satisfaction of the Borough Council of Wellingborough

Ø Copies of letters notifying the applicant of any other grant offers or awards from other sources

Ø Proof of ownership and/or possession of property

Ø The consent of the lender if the property is mortgaged and/or the freeholder if the property is leased

Ø Proof of the ability to contribute to the costs, based on estimated grant rate

Ø A Health and Safety Statement

Ø Details of the buildings insurance and any additional insurance required.

Small Grant Applications

Applications for the Small Grant Scheme will be considered against a smaller set of criteria with the emphasis on Heritage repairs and restoration. The property must generally be in sound condition.

All applications for a ‘Small Grant’ will be assessed on a property-by-property basis and against the following criteria:

Ø The conservation and townscape merit of the building, and the extent to whish the proposals will enhance this

Ø The need for repair of the building

Ø The use of appropriate materials and techniques of repair, in keeping with national conservation standards.

Ø The extent to which architectural details will be reinstated

Ø Whether the proposals fully meet the criteria set out in the Small Grant Scheme Information Leaflet.

Ø Whether the cost of the project is reasonable and provides Value for Money.

Ø Whether appropriately qualified contractors are proposed