George Osbourne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, announced in a statement on 3rd December that a £15million government-funded listed ‘Places of Worship: Roof Repair Fund’ is open to receive applications from churches, mosques, temples, gurdwaras and synagogues .
Congregations across the UK responsible for looking after listed places of worship of all faiths and denominations can apply for money to address pressing roof repair issues to ensure these historic buildings are weathertight, safe and open for use.
Grants of between £10,000 and £100,000 can be provided, to help meet the costs of urgent work needed to be done (e.g. coverings, timbers, ceilings and vaults) and rainwater disposal systems (e.g. gutters, valleys, hoppers, downpipes, gullies, drains and soakaways).
Applications for a grant must be made by midday on 30th January 2015, with awards to be allocated by the end of March 2015.
The scheme will be administered by the National Heritage Memorial Fund on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Further information about the scheme is available online by visiting www.nhmf.org.uk and clicking on the link to the Listed Places of Worship Roof Repair Fund.
There is only one opportunity to apply. The closing date for applications is 12pm (noon) Friday 30th January 2015. Enquiries may be submitted by email to enquiries@lpowroof.org.uk or telephone 01392 223 979.
If you can answer ‘Yes’ to the following you may be eligible to apply
- Is your place of worship listed?
- Is your place of worship used solely or mainly as a place of worship?
- Is your organisation responsible for maintaining your place of worship?
- Is your project for the repairs to the roof and/or rainwater disposal systems?
- Has the repair work been identified in a recent professional report as being necessary within the next five years?
