Renovation Nation: Applying for Ireland's conservation grant

The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme has proved to be a hugely welcome hand-up for those willing to roll up their sleeves and take on an old dear of a building that’s been left idle for two years, or is completely uninhabitable. 

With grant awards for derelict properties from local authorities up to €84,000 (inclusive of Vat), buyers could also qualify for a Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan. 

This is an extension of the Local Authority Home Loan to secure the property and fund the rebuild. Yes, construction costs remain perilously high, but these grants are being neatly combined with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) energy renovation grants. 

This can seriously reduce the burden of getting an old building back to a home or transitioning it from a commercial or agricultural building to a residential one.

Seriously old stone houses do not always sit into modern building standards, and they don’t behave like modern buildings. 

Their single-leaf, thick stone walls are intended to wick and evaporate away atmospheric moisture for starters. Contemporary insulation solutions like external “wraps” and dry lining can compromise the structural condition and comfort of these vapour-permeable national treasures. 

This spring saw the launch of The Traditional Homes Pilot Scheme by the SEAI, adding support for the use of sustainable, heritage insulation materials like lime-render and hemp blocks.

The caveat to being on the pilot is that you must complete a whole house energy upgrade (deep retrofit), and your home must reach a minimum B2 building energy rating after the upgrades. 

That said, there is expected to be some leeway on the cost-optimal outcome for challenging heritage buildings. The process must be guided from the outset by a homeowner-appointed traditional building professional. This could be an architect, engineer, or surveyor with relevant conservation experience. 

This appointment might seem like another bureaucratic rope, but the right specialist will steer you as the renovator towards the best practice and the best people to guard the integrity of a unique part of Ireland’s precious built heritage. 

There’s already been so much damage done, both in the neglect of and inappropriate renovation of these vulnerable properties.

Conservation specialists are largely over-extended in Ireland, but the outcome of the pilot will hopefully enshrine the needs of traditional homes within the SEAI grant system going forward. 

There’s more help available towards paying for that conservation expert to guide us through the treatment of a heritage building (some 14% of housing stock in Ireland). 

The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses is an expanded funding scheme to provide grants for expert conservation advice to all owners of vacant traditional houses who are availing of, or considering, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.

Part of the Historic Structures Fund, it provides grants to cover 67% of the costs (up to a maximum grant of €5,000) towards the fees of a conservation expert with proven and appropriate expertise to visit your vacant or derelict traditional building, to conduct a survey there, and to compile tailored conservation advice. 

This will give you as the owner “a report which outlines the condition of the building and identifies conservation improvements which would restore it to use while enhancing its character, energy efficiency, integrity, and amenity”. 

You’ll have to act fast to get the grant this year as that sash window is just about to close.

Stream one of the scheme is open to owners of vacant traditional buildings that are what is termed a protected structure and/or historic structure within an architectural conservation area. 

Buildings previously used for commercial purposes also qualify for the scheme where the intended use is as a single dwelling or a single dwelling over a shop. 

So, if you’re changing the nature of a property from agricultural or commercial use to a home, you may qualify. 

Stream 2 of the scheme will provide grant support for the provision of expert conservation advice to private owners of vacant vernacular farmhouses specifically, and they don’t have to be buildings under statutory protection to qualify. 

Obviously, you will need to demonstrate the building is in fact an Irish farmhouse.

Time is of the essence to secure this grant. The deadline for application is Monday, May 2, at 5pm. 

As it’s a competitive scheme with a highly specific scoring process to secure the funds, it's vital to make a perfect application, as losing a week or two could preclude your inclusion for consideration at this point. 

Applicants will be assessed under a criterion, so follow the instructions to formulate your application and assemble supporting documentation very carefully. 

You must have a conservation specialist named, including details like their CV or accreditation. Expect to offer costings, a history of the property, digital photographs and your current situation vis-à-vis the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant scheme.

The application for the grant will be judged under the heritage interest of the building, its vernacular interest, the reuse potential of the building, the demonstrated experience of chosen conservation professional and the best value for money of costings provided.

You can download the application for the Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Houses together with guidance on what to include https://www.gov.ie/en/service/7241b-conservation-advice-grant-scheme-for-vacant-traditional-houses. here.
Any questions regarding the scheme can be sent to: conservationadvicegrants@housing.gov.ie Good luck!