Northern Ireland Roof Repair Fund Opens

THE DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITIES’ Historic Environment Fund has opened a £200,000 Roof Repair Stream in Northern Ireland.

The fund is for the repair of roofs on listed buildings. Damage to listed buildings can be caused by roofs in need of repair. Timely repairs, often relatively cheap to carry out, can prevent further, more costly damage being caused.

The fund provides up to £5,000 per roof, or £10,000 per thatched roof. It is open to roof repairs on any listed building other than churches. It includes repairs to slate roofs, leadwork, chimney repairs, modern flat roofs, thatch roofs, and metal roofs.

Roof Repair Fund

The fund is for repairs only and does not include regular maintenance work. The Roof Repair Stream Scheme guidance says repairs are expected to be like for like using traditional materials and techniques where possible. If that is not possible the repairs are expected to be ‘legible’, that is carried out without any attempt to disguise them, but not unduly obtrusive or unsympathetic.

Northern Ireland Communities Minister, Deirdre Hargey, said, “Our listed buildings are a precious resource which provides character to our place and remind us of our shared history.

“It is important that we work together to ensure that they are maintained for the future and that the full potential they hold for the present is realised.

“The fund has been designed to allow swift processing of applications to deliver support quickly to where it is needed.

“The focus on roofs reflects an increase in the number of buildings on the Heritage at Risk register over recent years.

“In many cases, roof problems have been identified as the main cause of decay.

“I would encourage eligible building owners to apply by the deadline of 21 June 2021,” she added.

Applications

Applications will be assessed according to the criteria published in the guidance and those scoring highest will be funded, subject to their compliance with the scheme, the Department for Communities says.

Applications for funding must be received by 5pm, 21 June 2021

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