Conservation finance 1: Support for historic buildings

Throughout Europe there is an ever-increasing number of properties or areas protected due to their cultural heritage interest. This results in obligations for owners (duties to maintain, keep in good repair, etc.). However, it is generally accepted that laws and policies must provide positive incentives as well as the negative controls in order to successfully preserve and use this heritage. In the UK there is now a well-developed system of grant aid and a few fiscal measures but demand for assistance outweighs supply. In Ireland a limited amount of financial support measures have recently been provided. Looking further afield, this study examines the need for developing specific measures according to European policy and identifies practice in European Union countries and North America in relation to grant assistance, loans, fiscal and compensation measures. A second paper will examine economic arguments and methods of combining support to sustain the built heritage.