What is this about
Vernacular rural buildings, such as byres, mills and kilns, are an integral part of Scotland's cultural heritage and contribute to landscape and local character in rural areas. They were usually built using local materials and techniques, and pre-date the advent of mass-production techniques and the use of new building materials such as concrete. Changes in farming practices since the mid-20th century have rendered many vernacular rural buildings unsuitable for the purposes that they were originally constructed.
This Option will enable you to undertake a programme of specified repair and/or development works to conserve and enhance rural buildings that are of traditional character for the area, to make them wind and watertight and to ensure their structural integrity. The repair and/or development works should be carried out using materials and methods that are sympathetic to the building techniques used in their construction. Support under this Option is limited to pre-1940 buildings, to ensure that priority is directed to those structures that are most at risk of becoming redundant and falling into advanced disrepair. It is also restricted to buildings that are not used for permanent, temporary or seasonal human residence or occupation, either now or within the period of your Contract.
What will this achieve
This will assist you in looking after this valuable part of Scotland's rural heritage. It should also:
- Increase the working life-span of your vernacular buildings
- Promote sustainability by ensuring the continued use of your vernacular buildings
- Contribute to the enhancement and retention of local skills in traditional building techniques
- Help to maintain local distinctiveness of buildings and landscape, retaining the character of your area
What you can do
Check with your local authority whether your proposed works will require planning permission and/or a building warrant. If you propose to repair a listed building, you should also check with the local authority whether Listed Building Consent will be required for the work. You can find out if your building is listed by contacting the planning department of your local authority.
Before you commence any work, you should check the building for the presence of protected species of animals, birds and plants. Consult Scottish Natural Heritage if you are in any doubt about whether your proposed work will affect a protected species.
The programme of repair and/or development works funded through this Option can include works to roofs, chimneys, rainwater goods, windows, louvres, skylights, doors, walls, interiors, cobbles, flagstones and ironwork. It is particularly important that the works are carried out using materials and methods that are sympathetic to the building techniques used in the original construction of the building. The programme of work should be prepared and carried out by qualified professionals and tradespeople experienced in working with traditional buildings. For examples of advisory standards of repair, consult sections 4-9 of Historic Scotland's Advisory Standards of Repair: http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/advisorystandards.pdf
The Historic Scotland publication "Rural Buildings of the Lothians: Conservation and Conversion - Guide for Practitioners 1" is an illustrated guide providing relevant information on the design, construction and repair of traditional rural buildings. Although primarily about buildings in the Lothians, the guide contains generic guidance that is relevant to a much wider area. For details on how to obtain a copy of this publication and the wide range of other relevant Historic Scotland publications on the care of historic buildings, visit http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/conservation. You should also check with your local authority to see if they have published region-specific guidance on the care of historic buildings.
Who can apply
Any rural land manager, business, non-profit organisation, rural community group or individual with an eligible building.
Eligibility criteria
Vernacular rural buildings eligible for management are defined here as the range of traditional (pre-1940) rural buildings, such as simple farm buildings, mills, kilns, doocots, smiddies, workshops, and other rural industrial buildings, estate buildings, walls, bridges, and designed landscape built features, that contribute to local rural character and distinctiveness.
This Option cannot be used to manage any buildings that are used for human residence or occupation, either permanent, temporary or seasonal, during the period of your contract.
You cannot receive payment under this Option for the management of any buildings that you are already managing under other Land Managers' Options or Rural Priorities Options.
This Option cannot be used to carry out any work to a scheduled monument.
What costs will be supported
You will receive a one-off contribution of 75% of the total repair costs. You can only make a claim once you have completed the work, and in the year specified for the work in your contract. Please see the guidance on Claims for capital payments for more information.
The repair costs can include specialist fees such as architects and engineers fees. Receipted invoices must be provided in support of your payment claim. If you undertake any of the work yourself, the hourly skilled labour rate will apply. You should submit a record of labour hours and additional costs incurred on materials and machinery use.
To ensure value for money we require you to provide 2 competitive quotes for any capital items applied for which are based on actual cost. If, however, you are seeking grant support towards something so specialised it is only available through 1 source then we would accept 1 quote. Please see the guidance on quotes and estimates for more information.
Rate of support
75% of actual costs
Inspections and verification
The inspector will check the work carried out is the same as specified in the approval, that the building is being used for the specified purpose and that the claimed costs are justified. For inspection purposes, you must retain a copy of any consent documents obtained also.
List of links to relevant technical guidance
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk - Historic Scotland safeguards the nation's historic environment and promotes its understanding and enjoyment on behalf of Scottish Ministers. Their website includes a wide range of guidance on the care of historic buildings. It also contains a basic guide to listed buildings and the listing process.
http://www.ihbc.org.uk/ - The Institute of Historic Building Conservation is the principal body in the United Kingdom representing professionals and specialists involved in the conservation and preservation of the historic environment.
http://www.scotlime.org - The Scottish Lime Centre specialises in advice and training in the use of lime-based materials for the conservation and repair of Scotland's traditional buildings.
http://www.rcahms.gov.uk - The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland is responsible for recording, interpreting and collecting information about the built environment. Their website includes links to a number of searchable databases.
http://www.pastmap.org - Pastmap is a free online resource that allows you to access information about scheduled and unscheduled archaeological sites, listed buildings, and Inventory gardens and designed landscapes.
Useful contacts
Historic Scotland's Technical Conservation, Research and Education Group Publications Department: Tel: 0131 668 8638
Web: http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/conservation
Historic Scotland's Conservation Bureau and Technical Enquiry Service
Tel: 0131 668 8668
E-mail: hs.conservation.bureau@scotland.gsi.gov.uk