Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council is committed to historic building conservation. It offers grants to the owners of historic buildings in the area to promote and encourage the proper care and repair of such buildings, using approved conservation materials and techniques.
All grants offered by the Borough Council towards the cost of repairing historic buildings are discretionary.
Who can apply?
The owners of listed buildings or other unlisted buildings of historic interest - these can be individuals or organisations.
What projects are eligible for grant aid?
The grants are targeted towards the repair of historic buildings that fall within one of the following categories:
- A listed ‘building at risk’ (as identified and categorised by the Borough Council)
- A church (including church yard walls, table tombs etc)
- A community building
- A building owned by a charity (e.g. a Building Preservation Trust)
Repair grants are for works to the historic materials and features of a building - not for the repairs to modern extensions to old buildings. Any works which constitute general maintenance or redecoration are not eligible for grant assistance.
Have you recently purchased your property?
If you have purchased your property within the last three years you are not eligible for grant assistance.
It is considered that the property's 
condition and the cost of imminent repair works would have been taken into account during the purchase price negotiations. However, if you are the new owner of an old property you would still be able to apply for grants towards the cost of repairing any historic outbuilding or boundary wall.
The Borough Council may not be able to offer grant aid to new owners but would welcome the opportunity to offer independent and impartial advice relating to repairs, alterations, sources of materials, use of contractors etc.
Repair and conversion
If permission has been granted for the conversion of an historic building to a new use (e.g. a barn to a house) the repairs to be undertaken as part of the scheme would not normally be eligible for grant aid. Conversion schemes should be self-financing and not dependent upon grant assistance.
How are the projects assessed?
Normally a grant is calculated as a percentage of the final cost of the repair work (including VAT and any professional fees). The normal level of grant aid from the Borough Council is 20% of the repair cost. The level of assistance can be increased up to 50% if the project scores highly against the criteria listed below:
- Condition of the building
- Listing grade
- Use of the building (is it largely redundant?)
- Is the building in a conservation area?
- Contribution to the street scene, the landscape or the setting of a listed building
- Contribution to visual amenity
- Public benefit
- Public access
Options appraisals
There are grants available for Options Appraisals for listed buildings considered to be ‘at risk’. The key to securing a future for a building can be in finding a new use. An Options Appraisal would examine all the possibilities which may, or may not, enable the sensitive restoration of the building, and weigh these up against each other. Grants of up to £3,000 can be offered towards the cost of such Options Appraisals. It is important, as with all grants, that the agreement of the Council is granted prior to the Appraisal commencing.
If the Options Appraisal identifies that in-situ repair (i.e. without conversion or other enabling works) is the only sensitive option, then the Borough Council can then consider grant-aiding the subsequently recommended repairs.
Urgent Works
If a building is in a very delicate condition and there is a fear of collapse, grants can be offered for emergency propping and temporary coverings. Grants are available for up to £2,000 (up to 100%) for such works. The agreement of the Council must be sought prior to the emergency works being carried out.
It is important to note that all grants are discretionary and are subject to the availability of funds. Occasionally levels of grant aid are varied due to special circumstances.
Grants for churches
When grant assistance for repairs to an historic church is sought, it would be expected that the appointed Church Architect or Surveyor supervise the repairs. When making an application please ensure that the Architect's quinquennial report (where appropriate) or survey report is enclosed as well as the specification for repair.
Appointing an agent
If you are unfamiliar with building work and if the works 
are extensive you may wish to appoint an agent, normally a professionally qualified architect or building surveyor, who will handle all matters on your behalf. Such an agent could write the repair specification and obtain estimates for the work on your behalf.
The agent can give independent advice regarding the choice of contractor. It is requested that at least two (but preferably three) competitive estimates are enclosed with the grant application therefore the agent cannot be a builder. For further advice regarding the necessity of appointing an agent and, when appropriate, the choice of agent, please contact one of the Conservation Officers at the Borough Council. The agent's fees are eligible for grant aid.
Starting the work
It is very important to note that no repair works should commence prior to agreement in writing from the Borough Council - otherwise the grant application could be prejudiced. No grants are offered retrospectively.
Having received your offer of grant aid from the Borough Council the next step is to inform the Conservation Officer of the date that the repairs are due to commence on site.
To fulfil the offer of grant aid the repairs must be completed within one year of the date of the offer.
Whilst the repair works are in progress the Conservation Officer may wish to carry out inspections.
On completion of the work inform the Conservation Officer so that the final inspection can be made. The Borough Council makes the grant payment only on the satisfactory completion of the work and receipt of a copy of the final account.
If the repair works have not been carried out in accordance with the conditions of the offer, all or part of the grant can be withdrawn. It is important therefore that a copy of the grant conditions is given to your architect and/or contractor.
If the works are extensive interim grant payments can be made.
Grants from Hampshire County Council
Hampshire County Council are not offering grants for the repair of historic buildings at this time. Please contact the County Council direct for further updates in this respect.
www.hants.gov.uk/environment
Other information to note
The repayment of grants will normally be required if the recipient disposes of the property within three years of the payment of the grant by way of sale, exchange, or lease for 21 years or more.
In offering a grant the Council may sometimes ask owners to allow public access to important buildings.
There are some occasions when repairs can require Listed Building Consent, such as if they involve the substantial removal of historic fabric (albeit if that is unavoidable). In such a case, the Applicant will need to apply for and obtain the appropriate consent prior to commencing works on site, even if a grant has already been approved.
To establish if your grant-aided works require Listed Building Consent, please refer to the Listed Buildings page of this website, or speak to a Conservation Officer.
Further information and guidance
This webpage is designed to answer only general queries. For more detailed guidance or to discuss a particular building or repair scheme, please contact one of the Borough's Conservation Officers, who will be happy to help.
Tel: (01256) 845414
Email: neighbourhood.dev@basingstoke.gov.uk
How to apply for a grant
You can download a copy of the grant application form by clicking on the link below. Alternatively, please contact one of the Conservation Officers who will be happy to provide you with a paper copy.
- At the earliest opportunity consult with a Conservation Officer at the Borough Council for general advice regarding the nature and extent of repair, choice of materials, etc.
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Complete the grant application form and return to the Borough Council.
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Please enclose two photographs of the building/structure to be repaired and your estimates for the work with the completed forms (please remember to sign and date the forms). In addition, if appropriate, please enclose any architect's or surveyor's schedule or specification for the repair.
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Following receipt of the completed application, the Borough Council's conservation officer will arrange with you to inspect the building (if the inspection has not already occurred) and, if necessary, meet with your agent or contractor. When the extent of the work and the method of repair have been agreed your application will be considered by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Renewal.
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If the Cabinet Member approves your application you will receive a letter stating the amount of grant aid and listing the conditions of the offer.