Cardigan Townscape Heritage Initiative

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I live in my own house and am looking for a grant to improve it. Can I claim from Recreating Pride in Cardigan?

A. The best source of grant aid for residential properties is the Renewal Area Scheme on 01545 572185 or 01239 612157. Our scheme is aimed at business premises with only a very limited amount of money available to fund residential buildings.

Q. I live outside the area shown in the map, but have a business or retail outlet. Can I get a grant?

A. We are seeking to extend the boundaries of our scheme, but you could be eligible for a Town Improvement Grant. Contact the Conservation Officer on 01239 621347 for further details.

Q. I have already started some work before I found out about this grant. Will those works be covered by the grant?

A. No. We can only fund works that start after the grant has been approved.

Q. Is all the work to the building covered by the grant?

A. No. The comprehensive application pack guidelines explain the limits of the grant. The Conservation Officer will work through your application and decide what is ‘eligible’ work under the scheme.

Q. Do you fund internal works?

A. Not normally. Contact the scheme administrators to discuss further.

Q. Do you pay the VAT on any work?

A. No. We assume that any business or retail outlet is VAT registered. The European Union rules on VAT state that if it ‘can be’ recovered by the building owner then it is recoverable. If you are not registered for VAT then the EU considers that to be your lapse.

Q. Do you allow any type of materials to be used in the building works?

A. No. This is a heritage grant, and we ask that where possible the materials used are traditional one.

Q. Do I need to use an agent (or architect).

A. Yes. We require an appropriately qualified agent to prepare, plan and supervise the work.

Q. Can you recommend an agent or builder who can carry out this type of work?

A. No. We are not allowed to recommend any business. What we do recommend is that you ask any potential agent what type of similar work they have carried out.

Q. Do you pay for the agent?

A. We will fund professional fees at up to 12% of the total eligible works.

Q. Do I have to go to tender for the work on my building?

A. Yes. You will have to provide proof of asking for 3 tenders based on the specifications prepared by your agent. We expect you to choose the one that provides the best value, which is not always necessarily the cheapest.

Q. I am a leaseholder. Can I apply for a grant?

A. The European Union regulations state that a leaseholder must have a lease for over 50 years to be considered an owner. Contact the scheme administrators if this is a problem, as we are currently seeking further clarification of this rule.

Q. How can I claim the grant?

A. You can claim on receipted invoices. We don’t mind if you claim monthly or quarterly. Our only condition as said is that the building owner has paid the bill before claiming off us.

Q. What happens if I sell my building after receiving a grant?

A. You may have to repay all or some of the grant if you sell the building with 5 years (or in some cases 10 years) after the last payment of the grant. We do notify the Land Registry of all grants paid.

Q. I already have received a grant of European or State monies. Am I still eligible for this grant?

A. You could be. The funding rules on Euroepan and State aid are complicated. You should in most circumstances be able to receive a grant of 50%, but again talk to the scheme administrators, or read the application pack guidelines.