The Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF) is delighted to announce the renewal of its strategic partnership with Cadw, the Welsh Government’s Historic Environment Division.
The AHF writes:
Thanks to a generous new one-year funding package of £500,000 from Cadw, the AHF will be able to continue the delivery of its grants programme in Wales in 2025/26. As part of the programme, early-stage Project Viability and Project Development Grants, as well as a small number of modest Capital Works Grants, will be available to support heritage-regeneration projects across the country.
In the last two years, thanks to the support of Cadw, the AHF was able to award 58 grants totalling £941,170. These included a Project Viability Grant to Capel Prion to develop plans to transform Prion Methodist Chapel into three affordable homes; a Project Development Grant to Hay Castle Trust to support plans to restore the coach house and outbuildings at Hay Castle as holiday accommodation and affordable retail/craft maker spaces; and a Capital Works Grant for Haverfordwest Heritage Ltd’s Temperance Hall project, which will see the building brought back into public use as a community printworks.
With this new funding agreement for 2025/26, the AHF looks forward to continuing its successful partnership with Cadw over the next year and investing in more historic building reuse projects across Wales, making a difference in areas of need, both rural and urban.
Matthew Mckeague, Chief Executive of The Architectural Heritage Fund, said: ‘Recently I have been on a visit to Haverfordwest with Cadw and other partners to look at how projects are being supported through our partnership. So, we are very pleased to announce the extension of our valued strategic partnership, which will enable us to continue supporting charities and social enterprises across Wales, providing them with guidance and funding to help them reuse historic buildings for their communities. We would like to say a huge thank-you to Cadw for this renewed investment. We look forward to seeing what exciting new heritage and social impact projects we can support through this partnership over the next year.’
Welsh Government Culture Minister, Jack Sargeant, said: ‘I’m determined to ensure heritage is accessible to all and that everyone can benefit from our historic environment. So I’m proud that our partnership with the Architectural Heritage Fund means many community organisations will be able to access financial support to bring historic buildings back into use, helping them play a key role in the regeneration of cities, towns, and villages across Wales. The funded projects support a wide range of buildings and themes, including the restoration of listed buildings to be used for affordable housing and low-carbon education and enterprise facilities. Our historic environment in Wales is a vital part of our shared cultural landscape and has the power to transform lives for communities across Wales.’
Some projects are already benefitting from this support, including the New Star Hotel in Cwmgors, Neath Port Talbot. Awel Aman Tawe is a community energy charity committed to tackling the climate emergency. It has breathed new life into the former Cwmgors primary school to create Hwb y Gors – a pioneering low carbon arts, education and enterprise hub. For its next project, the charity now plans to reopen the vacant New Star Hotel, built around 1883, offering a community pub on the ground floor. The upper floors will be used as accommodation for students and tutors of sustainable development courses at Hwb y Gors, as well as tourists, schools and walking groups. The AHF has awarded Awel Aman Tawe a Cadw-funded Project Viability Grant to commission an architect to develop its plans to the end of RIBA Stage 2.
Meanwhile, the Bardsey Island Trust has been awarded a Capital Works Grant towards emergency roof repairs to T? Nesaf and T? Bach. Together, these buildings, which date back to circa 1870-75, form a Grade II-listed, semi-detached farmhouse. While T? Bach is the property used by the resident Wardens, T? Nesaf had once served as holiday rental for visitors to the island. Due to its poor condition, however, the building no longer allowed for this use. T? Nesaf has been identified by the Trust as the key to unlocking the potential of future building restoration projects on the island. Once repaired, it will serve as the location for contractors to stay when undertaking major building works. When not being used for contractors, it will be available for holiday rentals once again.
