The Redundant Rural Buildings scheme is funded by the Rural Development Plan. The Rural Development Plan (RDP) is a 7 year funding programme designed to support the sustainable development of rural Wales. The RDP is funded from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and Welsh Assembly Government and will run alongside the Convergence programme for the 2007-13 period.
The aim of the project is to assist the physical and economic regeneration of rural Carmarthenshire, by offering grant aid, in the form of Redundant Rural Buildings Grants to the private sector. The Redundant Rural Buildings Grants will assist in bring redundant and disused buildings in rural Carmarthenshire, back into business use, which will create new employment opportunities and safeguard existing jobs. Priority will be given to applicants that will provide tangible benefits to the local economy in terms of quantity and quality of jobs created and safeguarded.
Assessment Criteria & Priorities
Applicants should note that the County Council will be assessing the project against various criteria as follows:-
• Number of new permanent jobs created.
• Number of jobs safeguarded.
• Number of buildings improved.
Value for money – based on the percentage of grant requested in relation to the overall eligible project cost.
Priority will be given to applications that will provide tangible benefits to the local economy in terms of quantity and quality of direct jobs created and the grant will be conditional of this.
Eligibility
Applications can be submitted by individuals, partnerships, small limited companies, co-operatives, charitable trusts and voluntary organisations
The building to be developed must be situated in the RDP Area. Click here for a map of the RDP area.
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Abergwili |
Cynwyl Gaeo |
Llanfihangel Aberbythych |
Llanybydder |
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Carmarthen Town North |
Laugharne Township |
Llanfihangel-ar-Arth |
Manordeilo and Salem
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Carmarthen Town South |
Llanboidy |
Llangadog |
St Clears
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Carmarthen Town West |
Llanddarog |
Llangeler |
St Ishmael
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Cenarth |
Llandeilo |
Llangunnor |
Trelech |
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Cilycwm |
Llandovery |
Llangyndeyrn |
Whitland
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Cynwyl Elfed |
Llanegwad |
Llansteffan |
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The grant is directed to micro businesses. Micro businesses are defined as businesses which employ less than 10 full time equivalent staff and have a turnover and balance sheet of less than 2 million Euros.
Grants for works to property will only be available to owners of the freehold interest in the property or to lessees holding a lease that has a minimum of fifteen years remaining at the anticipated grant payment date and who have secured their landlord’s written consent to the proposed works
The grant is not available for the conversion or refurbishment of redundant buildings for residential, agricultural or horticultural purposes.
Ineligible works include:- pure refurbishment where the use of a building will not be changed; routine repair and maintenance works; works relating to health and safety requirements; statutory works; purchase costs; substantial demolition; soft landscaping; mobile equipment – please clarify with the County Council; works which have already commenced.
The Grant
Applicants will be required to demonstrate the need for assistance. Where such a case has been accepted, applicants should apply for the minimum contribution necessary to bring the project to fruition. The grant will be either based on £20,000 per job created / safeguarded or 50% of the eligible project costs, which ever is the lesser figure. This grant cannot be match funded by other County Council funding.
How to Apply?
For further details and a Part 1 Application Form please contact:
Vivienne Davies
Physical Regeneration Project Manager
For examples of previously completed projects funded by conversion grants please click here