The scheme has so far supported seven repair projects, which are either due to progress on site or have been completed, and has allocated a total of £280,000 to building repairs in the defined Dunbar CARS area.

Applications are sought again for appropriate repair projects to pre-1919 buildings within the CARS eligible area (which includes High Street, West Port, Cossars Wynd, Abbeylands and Abbey Road - see CARS map for full details) with a submission deadline of 30th April 2025.

Eligible works that can be supported by Dunbar CARS include repairs to the exterior fabric of the building including the roof covering, chimneys, masonry elements, rainwater goods and windows. 

All works must be carried out to accepted conservation standards with a focus to retain as much historic fabric as possible and make use of traditional materials and skills to ensure the building is appropriately repaired and secured for the future. Any costs associated with survey work, project management and planning are also eligible for funding should a full repair project be carried out.

Generally, property owners can apply for 70% of eligible costs, up to a maximum grant of £25,000. In exceptional circumstances, applications seeking funding up to £50,000 can be considered if several specific criteria are met. It is essential that ALL potential applications are discussed with the dedicated Dunbar CARS officers in advance of an application being submitted.

All applications seeking funding over £10,000 must be developed and managed by a suitably qualified professional agent (architect, surveyor etc.).

The CARS team is encouraging interested property owners to consider applying within this application round as the available funds for the scheme are limited, with a significant portion already allocated to support building repairs in the town centre.

For further information and guidance notes please email the team.  

The Spring Dunbar CARS newsletter is available to read on the council website.

The newsletter features details of upcoming talks and workshops including:

• Thursday 27 February – Buildings and closes walk and talk with Andy Stockdale, 5pm, meet outside Town House – Join Andy Stockdale, local Stonemason from The Ridge for a walk down the High Street looking at some of the buildings and closes and their repair and conservation issues. We will look at how to repair the different types of closes including information on how to choose the correct renders and paints, as well as reinstating missing gates and other historic fittings. The walk will stop at the Town House and Museum, and look at some of the stone repairs at the Old Well Head, and the Fisherman’s Memorial in Cromwell Harbour.
• Thursday 13 March - Stonework repair visit on the High Street with Derek Anderson (Anderson Masonry), 5pm, meet outside 9 High Street – Join us for our first site visit to hear about some of the stonework repairs being undertaken at 9 High Street from local stonemason Derek Anderson with a short introduction to the building repair project from the owner.