Small Settlement ‘Reconfiguring Space’ Grant Program (UK)

The Small Settlement ‘Reconfiguring Space’ Grant Program aimed at supporting regeneration that will have economic benefit to the small settlements such as creating employment, business expansion and retention of commercial properties.

Funding Information

• Small Settlement ‘Reconfiguring Space’ grant, which provides grants of up to 80% of costs, limited to a maximum of £20,000, which is for changing the use of space.

Eligible Expenses

• Examples of eligible expenditure include:
  • Capital building works e.g. signage, replacement toughened glass, lighting, painting, rain water goods
  • Routine building repairs e.g. cleaning of guttering.
  • Building extensions or conversions to improve the use of the building
  • Fixed building fit outs for commercial use
  • Service and utility upgrades to bring the property back into use
  • Internal shop fit out
  • Re-purpose space enabling it to be utilised for enhanced capacity.

Ineligible Expenses 

• Examples of ineligible work items that will not be funded.
  • Works for a property which has received or is holding an offer for a Small Settlements Grant under a previous round of this funding programme for the same property
  • Land and property purchase
  • Demolition
  • Legal costs
  • General routine maintenance
  • Technical, design, professional fees (including architect fees, quantity surveyor fees or fees to develop specification and tendering documentation)
  • Statutory planning permissions costs, building control fees or any other statutory fees
  • Improvements or refurbishments of any existing residential property including attics, garages etc.
  • Projects that have already commenced or costs incurred prior to a letter of offer
  • Revenue items
  • Motorised vehicles including vans, lorries, forklifts etc.
  • Cost of advertising for quotations/tender
  • Business running costs
  • Bank Interest charges, fees, loan repayments
  • New build accommodation and provision of additional bed space for existing accommodation
  • Existing residential properties are not eligible for building works or modifications in any circumstance however re-purposing of vacant commercial or retail properties for residential commercial use is an eligible project cost e.g. rental, self-catering etc.
  • Gap site developments and new build developments
  • Any cost which is another statutory agency’s responsibility
  • VAT, if registered for VAT
  • Costs not clearly linked to the scheme
  • Late applications
  • Insurances
  • Costs which are deemed excessive by the Council and/or its Professional Advisors
  • Projects that in the Council’s opinion are poor value for money, or that are purchased outside of Council procurement guidelines
  • Cash expenditure will not be eligible for refund from Council
  • Multinational companies.

Eligible Projects 

• The grant is open to commercial businesses and social enterprise premises which are within the town centre boundaries of one of the specified small settlements.
• Projects will improve commerce within the building and improve the locality.
• One application can be made per property address.
• Applications are limited to those properties who have not held nor accepted an offer of another grant administered by the Council since November 2019.

Eligibility Criteria 

• The Small Settlement grant schemes are open to owners, leaseholders or tenants of eligible properties which are situated within the village boundaries of one of the following small settlements: Aghagallon, Bleary, Dollingstown, Donaghcloney, Drumnacanvy, Gilford, Hamiltonsbawn, Keady, Kinallen, Laurelvale/Mullavilly, Magheralin, Markethill, Rathfriland, Richhill, Tandragee and Waringstown.
  • Only one application per property address. Where a single applicant owns multiple properties, additional applications can be made.
  • Leaseholders must have written permission from the property owner or landlord to apply. Owners/landlords must have written support from all tenants within a building.
  • Applicants must have a bank account in their name or their business name. All transactions must be made through this account.
  • Successful applicants must be able to demonstrate that all statutory requirements e.g. planning, licensing etc. are adhered to.

Ineligibility Criteria 

• Ineligible applicants/businesses/organisations are as follows:
  • Applicants whose property is not located within the settlement limits of one of the specified small settlements
  • Applicants whose subject property owner or leaseholder is political party or organisation, membership organisation, religious organisations/churches, sporting groups, community and voluntary groups which are not social economy enterprises
  • Where the owner or leaseholder is a bank or financial institution
  • Where the property owner or leaseholder is a public sector organisation or public service provider
  • Applicants whose subject property has received or is holding an offer for a Small Settlements Grant or under a previous funding programme for the same property since November 2019
  • Projects that will not be completed by 30 June 2025.

For more information, visit Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.