Open: New £15million fund for urgent roof repairs to listed places of worship

Information on how to apply can be obtained at the dedicated Listed Places of Worship: Roof Repair Fund website.

Congregations across the UK responsible for looking after listed places of worship can apply for money to address urgent roof repairs to ensure these historic buildings are weathertight, safe and open for use.

Organisations, trusts and congregations of all faiths and denominations can apply for a grant from £10,000 to £100,000 to meet the costs of urgent repairs to roofs and rainwater disposal systems. Limited funding can also be provided for structural investigations; specialist reports and bat surveys.

The fund was announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Autumn Statement on Wednesday 3 December 2015. It is administered by the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) on behalf of the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS).

Culture Secretary Sajid Javid, said: “Our places of worship are wonderful examples of our heritage that we’re proud to invest in. This fund will help conserve and maintain these historic buildings so they can continue to play a vital role in the communities they serve, for years to come.”

Welcoming the news, The Bishop of Worcester, Rt Revd Dr John Inge, lead bishop for cathedrals and church buildings, said: “This will make a real and lasting difference to parishes that are awarded grants. A secure roof can last 100 years and will prevent gradual, and ultimately costly, decay of fabric. It will keep these important buildings warm and secure, allowing them to remain open and welcoming for both worship and wider community use. This fund will particularly provide relief for those parishes that are resource-poor, allowing them to focus their attention on growing their ministry and engaging with local people.”

To be eligible for funding buildings must be listed and used for public worship. Places of worship that have received a previous repair grant from English Heritage, Historic Scotland, Cadw, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, the Heritage Lottery Fund and/or other Lottery distributor, and where that project is not yet finished, are not eligible to apply.

There is only one opportunity to apply to The Listed Places of Worship: Roof Repair Fund. The closing date for applications is noon, Friday 30 January 2015. Decisions will be announced in March 2015.

Notes to editors

For further information, please contact Natasha Ley, NHMF Press Office, on tel: 020 7591 6143, out of office hours mobile: 07973 613 820.