Open Call: Ashford Rural Energy Transition Grant (3rd Round) – UK

This grant cannot be used in conjunction with the Ashford Rural Energy Efficiency Grant. It can be used in conjunction with other financial support schemes, subject to those other schemes allowing this, except any funding deriving from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

Funding Information

• Applicants are required to provide fully costed quotes of the works being proposed. The assessment will consider this and, if successful, applicants will receive a grant equivalent to 80% of the cost of works (excluding VAT). The maximum level of grant allowed under this scheme is £15,000.
• In exceptional circumstances the council reserves the right to award a higher level of grant where this may be necessary and where supporting and significant additional evidence has been submitted.

Eligible Projects

• Through this grant, Ashford Borough Council will support the purchase and installation of alternative energy sourcing equipment that improves the carbon footprint of a business’ commercial property in the rural area.
• Examples of capital projects that the grant could support include:
  • Installation of Solar PV panels
  • Installation of Air or Ground Source Heat Pumps
  • Connecting the property to the grid
• Works that may require Planning Applications (such as Listed Building Consent, Advertising Consent or similar) can be considered. Applicants will need to submit their Planning Application, if required, before submitting the grant application.

Eligibility Criteria

• Micro, Small or Medium businesses with no more than 50 employees working at the subject site.
• The subject commercial premises must be located within the designated Rural area as defined under ‘Rural England Prosperity Fund’ by the Department for Environmental and Rural Affairs (Defra). Where the site or the wider land crosses across the designated area the Council reserves the right to assess these on a case by case basis.
• The business can demonstrate the need and the expected benefits of the works proposed.
• Individual landlords are eligible to apply for this funding.

Exclusions

• For the avoidance of doubt, businesses that are in administration, insolvent or where a striking-off notice has been made, are not eligible for funding under this scheme.
• Projects or work that has already been undertaken will not be eligible. This funding is not retrospective.
• Businesses that have already received grant payments that equal the maximum permitted levels of subsidy will not be eligible to receive funding.
• Project proposals that have already received, or are eligible to apply for, funding from Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are not eligible.
• Businesses or organisations that have already received funding from another REPF funded grant programme, or projects that are eligible for another REPF grant programme, as administered by Ashford Borough Council, will not be eligible for this scheme.
• Sites that are located outside of the designated Rural area as defined by Defra for the purposes of this funding.
• This funding should not be used as a wage support mechanism or for revenue costs such as ongoing maintenance or utilities costs.
• This funding cannot be used to pay for costs directly to Ashford Borough Council (for example Planning applications) or for significant work to the Council’s land/property that falls within a schedule of maintenance and for which the council is responsible as owner.

Application Requirements

• A completed application form
• Evidence that:
  • The applicant is the freeholder or leaseholder or where written consent from the site owner to carry out the work, has been obtained and submitted
  • The applicant has the funds available for their share of the project costs (20%, excluding VAT)
  • The applicant should demonstrate they have considered the Planning guidance in relation to their project and have submitted a Planning Application where necessary
• For projects costing up to £3,123 (excluding VAT) one fully costed quote for the works is necessary. For projects costing more than this, three fully costed quotes will be necessary.
• An energy audit report or EPC assessment undertaken for the property if available
• Recent photos of the site, clearly showing the areas the project will address
• Details of any grants or funding received from a public authority in the previous three years
• Any further information or evidence required or which the applicant considers relevant.

For more information, visit Ashford Borough Council.