Sometimes the re-development of historic buildings has to depend entirely on commercial investment. However, many of the most interesting and innovative schemes involve contributions from a wider range of private, public and charitable sector partners. In the case of buildings and conservation areas 'at risk', English Heritage's planning teams may be able to help broker an appropriate consortium to deliver the right combination of economic, social and heritage benefits.
English Heritage grants
English Heritage runs a number of grant schemes to assist with the cost of repairing and conserving England's most significant historic buildings, especially those on the Heritage at Risk register. There is very high demand for our grants, however, which means we are not always able to offer support to every project that qualifies against our grant scheme criteria.
English Heritage is also part-funding some specialist support officers to assist in encouraging the development of Heritage at Risk projects.
Other sources of funding
Before you apply for English Heritage funding, we strongly advise you to see if other sources of public or charitable funding may be available for your project.
Public regeneration funding
Although the Regional Developments Agencies that used to coordinate public investment in urban and rural regeneration projects will be disbanded at the end of March 2012, some government regeneration funding may in future be available through Local Enterprise Partnerships and other successor bodies.
Funds for Historic Buildings
Maintained by the Architectural Heritage Fund, the Funds for Historic Buildings is a comprehensive guide to funding for anyone wanting to repair, restore or convert to a new use any historic building in the United Kingdom (excluding the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) which is listed, scheduled or in a conservation area and of acknowledged historic merit.
It includes details of virtually all substantive funding sources which specialise in historic buildings, as well as many (including a variety of regeneration programmes) which provide funding for historic building projects within a wider remit.
Heritage Funding Directory
The Heritage Funding Directory is a comprehensive guide to sources of financial support for anyone wanting to undertake creative projects connected with the UK's heritage. It includes details of the majority of substantive sources of funding from central and local government, non-governmental agencies and grant-making trusts which specialise in supporting heritage projects, as well as many which provide such funding within a wider remit.
Heritage Lottery Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage though innovative investment in projects with a lasting impact on people and places. It is the largest dedicated funder of the UK's heritage, with around £255 million a year to invest in new projects which promote benefits for the public and which are not primarily for private gain.
