Leith Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)

The building restoration grant scheme is now in its final year.

The scheme provides grant funding for the restoration and reinstatement of external building features in order to protect and restore Leith 's important architectural character and heritage.

The scheme focuses on small to medium scale projects that would result in improvements to the historic character and appearance of the building and surrounding area. 

The standard amount of the grant is 75% of the approved costs, up to a maximum of £15,000. However, the amount of the grant may be lower or higher than the standard amount depending on the circumstances of the case. The absolute maximum grant aid is 90% of approved costs.  

Priority is given to works on the key thoroughfares of Constitution Street , Great Junction Street , Duke Street , Bernard Street and The Shore and to works that would have a particularly positive impact on the character of the THI area.

Eligible works include restoration or reinstatement of original building features that would result in a noticeable visual improvement to the historic architectural character of the area. This includes:

• Windows and doors.
• Railings.
• External walls.
• Shopfronts (excluding those that are eligible for grant funding under the Shopfront Improvement Scheme).
• Slate roofs.
• Other features which contribute to the architectural or historic character of the building or structure.

Please note that routine and general maintenance work will not be eligible for grant funding and under no circumstances can grant aid be given in retrospect.  Work which has been granted planning consent but which does not meet the criteria for grant funding will not be grant eligible.

Works may need planning permission and/or listed building consent and it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all statutory requirements of this nature are complied with.

A final tranche of grant money has just been released and this is available until the end of March 2012. All grant-aided works must be completed by the end of June 2012.

Dec 2011 UPDATE: A final piece of grant funding totalling £100,000 has just been announced. This is available until the end of March 2012.  All grant aided works must be completed by end of March 2012.  Potential applicants should contact Lesley Porteous on 0131 529 6236 or lesley.porteous@edinburgh.gov.uk.

An application form and information leaflet are available to download.