New Funding Available for Listed Places of Worship
The Government has launched the Places of Worship Renewal Fund, a new £92 million programme designed to support repair projects at listed places of worship across England. Delivered by Historic England, the fund is open to listed churches, chapels, synagogues, temples and mosques that hold regular public worship services. Grants are available for repair and preservation projects, with funding streams ranging from smaller repair schemes through to major projects worth up to £1 million.
With the first round of expressions of interest closed on 14 June 2026, churches considering repair works may now have access to funding that can help bring long-needed projects forward. However, securing funding is only part of the challenge. Understanding the condition of a building, prioritising repairs and managing project costs are all important steps in ensuring repair works can be delivered successfully.
Why Understanding Your Building’s Condition Matters
Before applying for funding, it is important to have a clear understanding of the condition of the building and the repairs that may be required. For many churches, this starts with a Quinquennial Inspection Report. A quinquennial inspection is a detailed survey carried out every five years by a suitably qualified surveyor. It provides a comprehensive assessment of the building’s condition and identifies any defects, maintenance issues or repair requirements.
Rather than simply highlighting problems, the report helps churches understand which repairs are urgent, which should be planned in the medium term, and which can continue to be monitored. This creates a clear roadmap for future maintenance and investment. Many funding providers also expect applicants to demonstrate why works are needed. A recent quinquennial inspection can provide valuable evidence to support a funding application while helping trustees and church committees make informed decisions about future repair priorities and maintenance budgets.
At Chawton Hill, our team has extensive experience carrying out quinquennial inspections and planned maintenance surveys for churches and ecclesiastical buildings.
What Will the Fund Support?
The fund is primarily focused on repair and preservation works. This may include structural repairs, roof repairs, masonry repairs and other conservation works required to protect and preserve historic buildings. Professional fees associated with these projects may also be included as part of a funding application.
Historic England may also consider accessibility improvements, alterations and building adaptations where they form part of a wider repair project and help improve the long-term usability of the building. However, the fund is not intended to support routine maintenance, standalone kitchen or toilet projects, or net-zero improvements where no repair works are required. For churches considering an application, reviewing the guidance carefully before submitting an expression of interest is essential.
Planning Repairs and Managing Costs
Repairing historic churches has never been straightforward. Specialist materials, conservation requirements and ageing buildings can all add complexity to projects. Recent changes to VAT arrangements have also increased financial pressures for many places of worship. This means careful planning and budgeting are becoming increasingly important when preparing repair projects. Understanding likely project costs at an early stage can help churches make informed decisions about priorities and ensure funding is directed where it will have the greatest impact. This is where professional cost advice can be particularly valuable. Through our quantity surveying and cost planning services we can support you with your plans.
Preparing a Strong Funding Application
A successful funding application is often built on good preparation. Having up-to-date building information and realistic cost estimates can strengthen an application and demonstrate the need for investment.
Chawton Hill regularly supports churches and community buildings. We can help with building surveys, project planning, cost management and project delivery. We support you from the identification of a problem through to completing repair works on site.
Thinking About Applying?
If your church is considering applying to the Places of Worship Renewal Fund, some useful first steps include:
- Confirming whether the building is listed.
- Reviewing your most recent quinquennial inspection report.
- Identifying any urgent repairs and maintenance issues.
- Understanding the likely cost of the proposed works.
- Reviewing the funding criteria and application deadlines before submitting an expression of interest.
For further advice on church projects, take a look at our Church Projects Guide. You may also find our article, Heritage Buildings & Listed Buildings: Challenges and Solutions, useful if you are planning repairs or alterations to a historic building.
Whether you are considering applying for funding, planning future repairs or simply looking to better understand the condition of your building, get in touch with the team.