Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2026

Closing date for applications 26th Sept 2026

Wicklow County Council invites applications under the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) 2026, as operated by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The BHIS seeks to encourage the leveraging of private capital to invest in a number of small-scale, labour-intensive projects to repair and conserve Protected Structures and other eligible buildings and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craft workers and tradespeople.

The BHIS provides funding for repair/conservation works to the following types of buildings (or qualifying structures):

1. Protected structures (buildings that are listed on the Record of Protected Structures within their Local Authority area)
2. Structures in Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs) (buildings that are located within areas defined as an ACA by their Local Authority)
3. Vernacular buildings (including thatch)
4. Historic Shopfronts

Grants of between €2,500 and €50,000 may be awarded, with applicants required to provide a minimum of 20% of total costs. Smaller grants of less than €2,000 to support the upkeep and maintenance of historic properties will also be considered.

Please note,

• Grants are paid to successful applicants, retrospectively, following the satisfactory completion of works.
• A Method Statement suitable to the proposed works must accompany all applications.
• Applications must also include photographs of the proposed works

BHIS is a very competitive grant scheme with a limited budget. Applications will be assessed and funding allocated based on a range of criteria, including the condition of the building and the nature of the works proposed. If approved for funding, applicants do not tend to receive approval for the full amount requested.

Applicants should read the guidelines and be familiar with the qualifying criteria and conditions of the scheme.

The closing date for applications is 4.00pm  26^th September 2025.

Full details of the BHIS 2026 scheme including guidelines and application forms are available to download on www.wicklow.ie  (under latest news) or by request from Wicklow County Council Planning Office Tel: 0404 20100, e-mail plandev@wicklowcoco.ie

All completed applications (Form A) should to be clearly marked BHIS and returned by e mail to plandev@wicklowcoco.ie or by post to: Planning Section, Wicklow County Council, County Buildings, Wicklow Town.

To download below:

BHIS Guide for Applicants and Application form

Historic Thatch Building  (HTB) guide and application form.