COULD your old stable block or out-buildings qualify for grant aid?

Horse owners whose yards include farm buildings constructed before 1960 should check out the GLAS scheme run by the Department of Agriculture and they could be quids-in.

GLAS (Green, Low Carbon, Agri-environment Scheme) is the agri-environment scheme under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. The scheme sets out to reward farmers for farming in an environmentally friendly manner, through annual payments.

GLAS is specially designed to address three main environmental issues - water quality, species and habitats and climate change. But a traditional farm buildings grant was recently added to the scheme.

The bad news is that applications closed yesterday (May 6th) for these grants but the scheme is expected to re-open for applications several times between now and 2020.

SCHEME REQUIREMENTS

To register for the scheme farmers must meet the following criteria:

  • An approved agricultural advisor must prepare the GLAS application.
  • Nutrient Management Plan (including soil samples) for the farm must be prepared within the first year of participation (if successful).
  • Farmers must undertake training in environmental practices and standards.

    • Payments under GLAS are by way of annual grant for a contract period over years. Each action carries a different rate of payment. A maximum total payment of €5,000 per farmer per year is available subject to carrying out the chosen actions.

    The farm buildings grant also applies to traditional farm features such as stone pillars, walls and even gates.

    According to the Heritage Council, grants for successful applications will not exceed 75% of the cost of the works, with a maximum grant of €25,000 and a minimum grant of €4,000 being made.

    The principal objective of this scheme is to ensure that traditional farm buildings and other related structures that contribute to the character of the landscape, and are of significant heritage value, are conserved for agricultural use.

    Repair work on traditional farm buildings constructed before 1960 comes under this scheme if the buildings are for a use associated with agriculture, and built using traditional methods and materials such as timber, brick, stone, earth, tile, slate or thatch.

    A copy of the application form can be obtained in advance of each tranche by contacting the Heritage Council.

    Web: glasfarmplanners.ie

    Web: heritagecouncil.ie