Up to £190,000 in grant money aimed at aiding historic building repairs and funding enhancements works could be lost – if owners don’t apply by September.
Cash is available for the owners of historic buildings, which have a commercial or industrial use, to help with repair works and is distributed through the Sudbury Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme (HERS).
The Sudbury HERS is a partnership between local councils and English Heritage, which aims to help with historic building repairs and funding enhancement works within parts of Sudbury’s conservation area.
Now the three-year scheme has been granted a deadline extension of six months and Babergh is urging historic building owners to apply for cash from the pot before it is too late.
The main emphasis of the project is on economic regeneration with money set aside to specifically help with repairs.
This includes a fund, of which £70,000 remains, towards general repairs – such as roof or structural works – and £50,000 available for the reinstatement or repair of traditional windows or shop fronts.
There is also another £70,000 that has been set aside for four specific buildings in Sudbury that were identified in the scheme’s action plan as needing repair.
An old barn at the rear of the Black Boy pub on Market Hill, the former Railway Bell pub on Station Road, the New World Chinese takeaway in North Street and Victoria Hall building on Prince Street could all be in line for a cash boost – as long as a bid is made before September.
Half of the funding comes from Babergh District Council, Suffolk County Council and Sudbury Town Council - plus an equal amount of national funding from English Heritage.
The funding has to be bid for in advance by the Council’s officers and if not used within the deadline will be lost to the town.
Patrick Taylor, Babergh District Council’s Conservation Architect, said: “The scheme has been granted an extension and now is the time for owners to take advantage of the money which is waiting to be spent.
“If owners thought they had missed the deadline to apply for a grant, they now have a second chance. I would urge anyone who thinks they might be eligible to get in touch before this money is lost.”
At the moment, 25 local businesses or organisations have successfully applied for grants to help them with exterior repairs, which are sympathetic to the local environment. The scheme is also contributing towards the conservation repair elements of the extensive refurbishment underway at Gainsborough’s House.
Anyone who thinks they have an eligible proposal should contact Patrick Taylor on (01473) 825852 or email: patrick.taylor@babergh.gov.uk ENDS
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