SERVICES
Monaghan County Council is now inviting applications for funding under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2023.
Overview
The BHIS seeks to encourage the investment of private capital in a number of small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and conserve historic structures and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople, and tradespersons in the repair of the historic built environment. The scheme is designed to assist the owners and/or occupiers of structures/properties that are protected or proposed to be protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), and also historic thatched structures/properties not currently protected or proposed to be protected. The scheme is being administered by Monaghan County Council’s Planning Section.
Eligibility
The categories of structures/properties eligible for funding under this scheme are:
- Protected Structures
- Proposed Protected Structures
- Structures/properties in Architectural Conservation Areas or within the amenity of a National Monument, where exceptional circumstances are deemed by the Department to apply
- Historic thatched structures which are neither currently protected/nor proposed for protection
Funding available
The minimum funding award under this scheme will be €2,500, up to a maximum of €15,000. Successful applicants will be required to, at a minimum, match their funding award. The overall allocation for County Monaghan in 2023 is €96,000.
In addition to the above allocation, a further €5,000 of ring-fenced funding has been allocated to County Monaghan under the 2023 BHIS for conservation repairs to thatched structures to maximise the availability of financial assistance to such owners, helping them offset other costs. The funded works are not limited to repairs to the thatch itself and all eligible conservation works listed in the BHIS Circular will be eligible for funding under this stream. Although the mainstream BHIS generally requires private match funding of a minimum of 50% of the total project cost, the ring-fenced thatch stream will only require a minimum of 20% match funding. Unlike the mainstream BHIS, the match funding may include other grant funding.
Note: Applicants may apply for funding under both the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2023 and the Historic Structures Fund 2023, but cannot avail of funding from both schemes in the same year.
How to apply
The BHIS 2023 Circular outlines full details of the terms and conditions of the funding. The circular, application form and associated information are available to download at https://monaghan.ie/planning/built-heritage-investment-scheme/. Hard copies are also available at the Planning Office.
Completed applications using Form A and accompanied by a comprehensive method statement must be submitted to Angela Gallagher, Administrative Officer, Planning Section, No.1 Dublin Street, Monaghan Town, H18 X982 or emailed to builtheritage@monaghancoco.ie on or before the 31st of January 2023.
Signed: Cathal Flynn
Director of Service
Economic Development, Planning & Capital Projects
Monaghan County Council
Date: 5th January 2023