TranslateThe Project Feasibility stage of the Repurposing Grant Fund (RPGF) provides financial support to help bring empty or underused sites back into use. This funding is aimed at landowners and community groups who are ready to move forward with feasibility work to determine the viability and sustainability of refurbishing existing buildings or developing new ones on vacant or derelict land.
This stage supports the preparation of a feasibility study and business plan, where relevant. This would examine potential options for the future of the land or building.
Eligibility
To qualify for funding, you must have legal ownership of the property or site, or a long-term leasehold interest (a minimum of 10 years).
In cases of multiple ownership, that all, or the majority, of the owners are in agreement, and are willing, to meet the non-participating owners share of any associated cost.
There must be no outstanding legal disputes or legal issues with the premises or site that would delay redevelopment.
The Repurposing Property Grant Fund is provided as Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) under the UK Subsidy Control Act 2022, and applicants may be required to confirm that total MFA received does not exceed £315,000 over the current and previous two financial years.
Applicants must adhere to the Fair Work Principles.
Additionally, grant assistance is not normally available where:
- a business forms part of a chain (for instance, three or more outlets) or business turnover exceeded £1million in the previous year
- the applicant has received financial assistance previously from the council for works similar in style and scope for the property in question
- the applicant has received financial assistance from RPGF for project feasibility within the previous one-year period
- the property cannot be accessed directly from public highways
- an applicant is indebted to the council
- the property is subject to an active notice issued by North Ayrshire Planning Services or Protective Services
The property must be:
- located in North Ayrshire
- currently vacant, underused or derelict (or at risk of becoming)
- of strategic importance including, for example, has heritage value, is prominent, or has high visibility
- potential to stimulate wider regeneration and growth in the locality
- potential to transform wider or underused sites into high quality, sustainable spaces, delivering measurable biodiversity gain, climate resilience, and enhance visual appearance
Funding
Sites under 0.1 hectare - 100% grant or maximum of £10,000
Sites over 0.1 hectare - 100% grant or maximum of £25,000
Funding can be used for feasibility studies to identify options and their viability to bring vacant land and properties back into productive use and are undertaken in the very early stage of a project. For example:
- professional advisors' fees for Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Plan of Work Stages 1 to 2
- feasibility studies are initial assessments to establish whether the project is viable and help to identify feasible options
- building surveys
- site surveys
- appraisals and plans that are vital to developing a project or determining a new use
- business care preparation
Funding cannot be used for:
- buying or renting land or property
- marketing and promotional costs
- general maintenance not linked to redevelopment
- VAT (unless it is non-recoverable)
- fees for statutory consents such as those associated with planning permission, building warrant, listed building and/or conservation area consent
- routine maintenance and minor repairs
- construction works, alterations, extensions, and repair of internal fabric
- works underway prior to approval
Application
Checklist of information you need to provide:
- RPGF application form - please seek advice from the RPGF Project Team if you are unsure what to include (do not submit an incomplete application form)
- ownership details (title deeds) - this information can be requested from the Registers of Scotland
- written consent of owner/ownership details (if not the applicant)
- details of professional advisors
- fee quotes for professional advisors and surveys (minimum of three per item)
- details of any other grants received, offers, or applications for the same property (if applicable)
- proof of applicant's funding contribution (if applicable)
- Constitution/Memorandum of Articles and Association (as appropriate)
- recent photograph of the property or land
- a basic location plan highlighting the property or land in question
- an explanation of how the project meets the following:
- how will your project contribute to local economic growth (250 words)
- how will your project enhance the vitality and attractiveness of the town centre or local area (250 words)
- how will your project align with national and local priorities (250 words)
Process
You have been invited to submit a full RPGF Stage 1 Project Feasibility application.
If you are planning to submit a Stage 1 Project Feasibility application with a view to submitting a Stage 2 Project Development in the future, and intend to use the same Professional Advisors for both stages, please ask them to quote both stages when applying for a Stage 1 Project Feasibility grant. If you intend to use different Professional Advisors for each stage, then three quotes will be required for each stage of your application.
Decision
The assessment process for the RPGF Project Feasibility stage will consider various outcomes and local priorities, including strategic fit, length of time vacant, proximity to town centre, prominence, condition, and SIMD (Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation). We will also refer to the Buildings at Risk Register and the Vacant and Derelict Land Register.
We will prioritise projects that:
- preserve or sensitively adapt heritage or listed structures or have a prominent location within a town centre
- match fund or co-investment from the private sector or other public sources
- attract additional economic activity or investment due to the funding you're awarded
- evidence local need and longevity
Applicants should be aware that even at an early stage in the process, they should have a clear idea of the extent of works to be undertaken and their likely cost (either from estimates or professional advice).
A member of the RPGF Project Team will, upon request, visit the premises to discuss the proposed project with the applicant. When you are ready to apply, please refer to the application checklist above to ensure that you submit a complete application.
Success
If your application is successful, a provisional Grant Offer, Agreement, and Mandate will be issued for signing. By signing, you will have to enter a contract with North Ayrshire Council accepting the terms and conditions of the grant. If the cost of work increases, or additional work is undertaken, there is no obligation for the grant to be increased. You are advised to seek independent legal advice before signing the Grant Agreement, Mandate, and Minimum Financial Assistance (MFA) Declaration.
We cannot award the grant until you've met all the conditions of the offer.
Before any grant funding is released, you must have submitted all the relevant information as detailed in the application checklist.
Payment of the grant
The council reserves the right to withhold payment of any part of the grant should any part or conduct of the works breach any of the conditions of the Grant Offer or Agreement.
Upon completion of the works, the applicant will submit the Professional Advisor's invoice(s) to the council along with the completed works/report. The invoices should be addressed to the applicant. The Grant will be paid in accordance with the Mandate and only Professional Advisor(s) listed on the Mandate can be paid. If there is any change to the Professional Advisor(s), the council will reissue a new Mandate for signing by the applicant.
If the final cost of the project is lower than expected, the grant amount will be reduced accordingly.
Payments in cash will not be accepted.
Copies of original invoices are acceptable if they are certified as true copies.
The council may withhold part or all of the grant if the project does not follow the agreed conditions.