Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme

The Listed Places of Worship (LPW) Grant Scheme gives grants that cover the VAT incurred in making repairs to listed buildings in use as places of worship. The scheme covers repairs to the fabric of the building, along with associated professional fees, plus repairs to turret clocks, pews, bells and pipe organs.

The Scheme has been run by DCMS with a focus on preserving heritage in the fabric of our UK listed places of worship. Since its establishment in 2001, the Scheme has adapted to changes while continuing to support places of worship by delivering the fairest possible system of making grants and ensuring that all faiths and areas of the UK are equally able to make use of scheme.

Funded up to £42m, the LPWS has paid out £317m since its inception and assisting over 13,000 buildings. The LPW scheme presently receives approximately 7000 applications per annum. Eligibility for a LPW grant is assessed against complex criteria, involving the eligibility of the building and the nature of the work being carried out.

The DCMS recognises that there are particular burden to the upkeep of our spiritual architecture. The Listed Place of Worship scheme grants aim to redress financial short falls and continue to support our listed and protected architecture for future generations.

Topmark are the administrators of the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

The Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme makes grants towards the VAT incurred in making repairs and carrying out alterations to listed buildings mainly used for public worship.

This guidance is designed to help you in completing your application.

The checklist below sets out the general principles of which costs are eligible under the scheme, and is intended as guidance only. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list as there may be areas that we have overlooked. Final decisions will be at the discretion of DCMS.

We recognise that the terminology predominantly corresponds to features of Church of England places of worship, which account for the majority of claims on the scheme. Notwithstanding, the scheme is open to listed places of worship of all denominations and religions (see Note 1.2 and 1.3) and aims to provide equivalent treatment to listed places of worship used by other denominations and religions.

Where an invoice covers both eligible and ineligible works, the applicant should make an apportionment in respect of these costs.

If you are in any doubt as to whether your claim qualifies for a grant, please contact the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme direct on 0800 500 3009 .