Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) - 2025

Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, launched (26 July 2024) the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) for 2025.

The BHIS, administered by Louth County Council, is intended to assist with the repair and conservation of structures protected under the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), the Record of Protected Structures (RPS), and in certain cases, works to structures within Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs).

This year’s scheme (2025) has also incorporated streams for vernacular buildings and historic shopfronts, which were previously part of the Historic Structures Fund and will provide grants of between €2,500 and €50,000 for the conservation of historic structures, with up to 80% funding available. The department will also continue to run the ‘micro’ grant stream, introduced in 2020, for works of routine maintenance and minor repairs.

Changes to the BHIS for 2025:

• Grants of up to €50,000 are now available to cover the cost of maintaining and conserving Ireland’s architectural heritage, a significant increase on the previous maximum award of €15,000.
• Up to 80% of the project's total cost may be applied for (previously 50%) e.g. an applicant in receipt of the full €50,000 would need to provide a minimum of €10,000 of their own funding.
• The timeframe of the scheme is changing with applications open from now until Friday 27th September (previously November).
• Successful projects will be announced in early January (previously March), giving owners and craftspeople additional time to schedule and complete their projects during 2025. 

Please note that the level of award will be at the discretion of the local authority and most applicants may be approved for less than 80% of their project costs under the scheme.

Buildings/structures eligible for funding under the scheme include:

• Protected structures (i.e. those on the local authority’s record of protected structures)
• Proposed protected structures (i.e. buildings the local authority has proposed to add to its list)
• Structures in Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs are defined by the Local Authority)
• Vernacular buildings (max. grant for these is €30,000)

Application Details:

Full details of the above scheme, along with relevant Guidance Documents and Application Form, are available to view/download here or are available on request.

Applications for the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) will open towards the end of 2024.

Completed applications, along with all relevant supporting documentation, can be submitted by hard copy to Conservation Grants, Louth County Council, Town Hall, Dundalk, Co. Louth A91 W20C or by email to conservation@louthcoco.ie.

For queries please email: conservation@louthcoco.ie or Phone: 042 9392932

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 4pm on Friday 27th September 2024.