What's eligible for a traditional building repair grant

In all cases:

• the building must be within the Stirling Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme zone
• the building must be of traditional design and construction
• the building must not be owned by Stirling Council
• both you and your building must be a Traditional Buildings Health Check member
• you must have at least 3 months of Traditional Buildings Health Check membership left when you get a grant
• work mentioned in the application must not have started

The proposed works must also have been identified in at least one of the following:

• a joint Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme and Traditional Buildings Health Check inspection report
• a Traditional Buildings Health Check inspection report
• a condition survey of the building by a suitably experienced professional

To be eligible for a grant, any works must be carried out in line with Historic Environment Scotland's Advisory Standards of Conservation and Repair.

If you have any questions about what this means in practice, you can email the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme Project Officer at stirlingcars@stirling.gov.uk.

Re-roofing

Re-roofing work is eligible, as long as it's done using natural, traditional materials that match the historic roof covering. This should include re-using sound existing materials where possible.

Chimney repairs

Chimney repairs are eligible, as long as the chimney is reinstated to its historic height and profile. This includes lining or rebuilding work if this is structurally necessary.

The replacement of the historic style of chimney pots or cans is also eligible.

Leadwork

Leadwork repair or renewal is eligible, as long as it's in line with the details and codes recommended by:

• the Lead Sheet Association
• Historic Environment Scotland

Rainwater goods

You can apply to repair or replace rainwater goods so that these match the historic material and sections.

Rainwater goods are normally cast iron, but these can sometimes be:

• lead
• timber
• stone

Detailed information on eligible roof works

To get a detailed understanding of what’s eligible, read section 3 of Historic Environment Scotland's Advisory Standards of Conservation and Repair. To be eligible for a grant, works must be carried out in line with this guidance.

Repair of stonework and brickwork

The repair of external stonework or brickwork is eligible. This includes that repair of decorative elements to an appropriate specification.

Selective rebuilding

Selective rebuilding of existing stonework or brickwork is eligible, if this is structurally necessary. This will usually involve the use of:

• salvaged materials
• new materials that match existing ones

Re-pointing

Re-pointing that's structurally necessary is eligible. However, this must:

• be kept to a minimum
• involve the use of appropriate mortar

Comprehensive re-pointing for cosmetic reasons is not eligible.

Render repair and renewal

If they're carried out to an approved specification, the following are eligible:

• external render repairs
• stucco repairs
• harling repairs
• limited areas of renewal

If a coating of this kind was removed in recent years to the detriment of the building's performance and appearance, its reinstatement may be eligible.

External cleaning

The external cleaning of stonework and brickwork is only eligible in cases where:

• there's such a build-up of dirt, paint or resin coatings that it must be removed in order to assess the extent of necessary repair
• it's damaging the fabric of the building by chemical action

Cleaning for cosmetic reasons is normally not eligible.

Where cleaning is eligible, it must be:

• carried out by a specialist conservation contractor
• done to an approved specification

Walls and railings

The repair or reinstatement of retaining walls, boundary walls or railings are eligible if these either:

• contribute to the stability of the building
• enhance the character of the Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme zone

Detailed information on eligible wall works

To get a detailed understanding of what’s eligible, read sections 4 and 14 of Historic Environment Scotland's Advisory Standards of Conservation and Repair. To be eligible for a grant, works must be carried out in line with this guidance.

Consolidation, reinforcement or reconstruction

You can apply to consolidate or reinforce the existing structure using the most conservative approach practicable.

Limited reconstruction that's in line with the existing structure is eligible, as long as it's both:

• unavoidable
• supported by documentary evidence

Repairs

You can apply to make appropriate repairs to:

• timber frames
• roof structure
• beams
• floor joists
• other structural timbers

However, these repairs must be based on a careful and comprehensive survey of the existing structure.

Detailed information on eligible structural works

To get a detailed understanding of what’s eligible, read sections 4 and 14 of Historic Environment Scotland's Advisory Standards of Conservation and Repair. To be eligible for a grant, works must be carried out in line with this guidance.

Repairs and replacements

You can apply to repair or, if necessary, replace:

• external windows
• external doors
• external joinery

However, to be eligible, the items must contribute to the character of the building or the conservation area.

In all cases, the original pattern and detail should be retained or reinstated.

Secondary glazing

Well-designed secondary glazing may also be eligible.

Detailed information on eligible window and door works

To get a detailed understanding of what’s eligible, read sections 5, 6 and 13 of Historic Environment Scotland's Advisory Standards of Conservation and Repair. To be eligible for a grant, works must be carried out in line with this guidance.

Dry rot

You can apply for dry rot eradication and appropriate, conservation-approved timber preservation treatments. However, to be eligible, these must:

• be based on an analysis and specification provided by an independent consultant with conservation expertise
• use non-destructive techniques and non-toxic applications wherever possible

The independent consultant's fees are also eligible.

Damp

Damp–proofing by traditional methods is eligible, where this damp is causing structural damage to the building.

Damp eradication measures such as improved drainage or the lowering of ground levels are preferred, where these are practical.

Detailed information on eligible damp and dry rot eradication

To get a detailed understanding of what’s eligible, read sections 4 and 14 of Historic Environment Scotland's Advisory Standards of Conservation and Repair. To be eligible for a grant, works must be carried out in line with this guidance.

Other eligible works may include repairs to the original pattern and details of:

• sculpture
• tiling
• decorative ironwork
• applied details
• cornices
• string courses
• window architraves
• columns
• pilasters

Detailed information on eligible feature works

To get a detailed understanding of what’s eligible, read Historic Environment Scotland's Advisory Standards of Conservation and Repair. Information relating to features appears throughout this document. However, there's specific information on ironwork in section 8.

To be eligible for a grant, works must be carried out in line with this guidance.