Property owners in the conservation areas of Saundersfoot and St. Davids have until the end of March to apply for the next round of grants for traditional repairs and restorations under the Historic Town Schemes run by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park.
Grants of 40 per cent are available for both domestic and commercial properties within the conservation areas of both communities.
The Saundersfoot town scheme was begun in 1994 and a dozen properties have been grant aided. During the current year, five properties in the heart of the village have received grants.
In St. Davids, some 50 properties have been assisted since the local scheme started in 1996. These range from small cottages to the imposing Tabernacle Chapel on Goat Street.
The town schemes were pioneered in the National Park at Tenby where it has been a great success. Since 1989 over 200 properties have been grant aided, generating over £4 million worth of building work.
National Park building conservation officer, Rob Scourfield, said: "The grants are available for historic properties in the conservation areas of these communities and relate to traditional repairs and restorations to windows, walls, roofs, chimneys, doors and even railings.
"Apart from improving the physical fabric of these communities, the schemes also boost the local economy as most of the work is carried out by local tradespeople. And the schemes raise awareness of traditional building materials and techniques and of the special quality of many of our buildings."
The National Park administers the schemes in conjunction with partner organisations including Cadw, Wales Tourist Board, Welsh Development Agency and Pembrokeshire County Council.
The deadline for grant applications for the next financial year is March 31 and further information on the historic town schemes is available from the National Park headquarters on (01437) 771460 or by e-mailing [email protected]">[email protected].