Apply for a Green Business Grant

This scheme is part-funded through the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The UKSPF aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills.

What is the scheme?

This scheme is for capital projects for businesses based in the Tonbridge and Malling area that are looking to reduce their carbon footprint.

This grant scheme is a key initiative supporting our economic development and climate change strategies.

Who can apply?

All independent businesses based in the Tonbridge and Malling borough that operate from commercial premises.

The council has decided that the following sectors will be given priority and will receive preference if the scheme is oversubscribed. These are:

• Food production
• Tourism and hospitality
• Distribution and logistics
• Construction
• Independent retail

General Information

Please note that all grants are discretionary and subject to the availability of funds. Once all the funding has been allocated, this programme will close. The inclusion of a business/ building within an eligible area does not give any automatic entitlement to a grant.

The scheme will not support any works that have already been undertaken or any works which are started prior to a formal offer of grant funding being made and accepted.

Multinational businesses, national chains or franchises will not be eligible to apply, nor will business that have more than five properties irrespective of locations.

If you are unsure of whether your business is eligible to apply for a grant, please contact economic.regeneration@tmbc.gov.uk

How much is the grant for?

The Green Business Grant is a one-off capital grant specifically aimed at supporting the proposals set out by the applicant.

Local independent businesses can apply for a grant towards projects on their site which increase energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint of their premises. The grant covers 40% of eligible costs, up to a maximum grant contribution of £5,000.

The contribution provided through this scheme will always be ‘up to 40%’ (with the maximum individual grant being £5,000). Whilst the administrators of the scheme will seek to offer a 40% contribution to most agreed proposals, there may be occasions where this is not possible. For example, if the proposal exceeds £12,500, or if the remaining funds left in the scheme do not stretch sufficiently to offer 40%.

If a business is VAT registered, the Green Business Grant will not include VAT when calculating the grant offer. For example, if a proposal is agreed for £4,000 + VAT (total £4,800), the grant would be a maximum of £1,600 not £1,920.

Excluded businesses

The following businesses will not be eligible for the Green Business Grant:

• Businesses that are not based in Tonbridge and Malling Borough. To check which local authority your business is based
• Businesses that have started or entered any form of administration or insolvency process (including CVA/CVL)
• Multinational businesses, national chains or franchises, and business that have more than five properties irrespective of locations
• Businesses that have already received Public Subsidiary Grant payments that equal the maximum permitted subsidy allowances
• Businesses that do not operate from commercial premises

How do I apply?

To apply for the scheme, make sure that you have read the guidance notes and, where required, contacted Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council in the first instance for any additional information or support.

Having gathered the required information, you will then need to apply online.

What do I have to supply with my application?

To consider your proposal, the following is required:

1. Complete the online application form – this contains basic information about your proposals together with confirmation of any public subsidiary received over the last three years. An example application form is provided on the Green Business Grant webpage to help you prepare
2. Latest bank statement
3. Evidence that you have sourced at least three quotes from contractors. You should state which contractor is preferred and why
4. Include cost estimates including quotes and professional fees
5. The following information must be obtained in any quote:
   • A cost breakdown of each individual element of the scheme
   • Total price of the whole scheme for the purpose of grant calculation and monitoring. Remember to also include project support costs and VAT as separate items in addition to any ineligible works
   • A programme of works from the contractor

Please note that any grant offer is usually based on the lowest quotation received.

Planning and other permissions

If an applicant intends to carry out works that change the exterior of buildings it is likely that planning permission will be required, and there are additional requirements for Listed Buildings and buildings within Conservation Areas.

If an applicant is unsure as to whether their proposal would require planning approval, then they are strongly advised to contact the Planning Department. More information can also be found at

Whilst very minor works often do not require the submission of a planning application, Building Regulations approval will need to be obtained if any of the proposed changes are structural or involve moving or altering entrances.

Where an applicant requires planning or building regulations approval to deliver their proposal, but has not yet secured it, any award from this scheme will be subject to securing the necessary permissions. In summary, no grant funding will be paid out until all necessary permissions have been obtained and the required proof provided.

As part of the application process, applicants will initially be required to comment on their permission requirements and, subsequently, will need to provide proof that all permissions have been received prior to the grant payment being made.

How long does it take to decide on my application?

We aim to decide on your application within four weeks after the application deadline has passed, providing that the submission has been fully completed and all additional information provided.

If planning approval is required and has not been granted by the time a decision on your grant application is made, then any offer will be conditional on securing the required permissions.

If your application is submitted without all the necessary information, then this delays the process and may result in the applicant not receiving an award.

Who decides whether my application is approved?

The grant scheme is administered by Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.

Applications are initially assessed by a panel made up of Council officers - from planning, building control, licensing, environmental health, finance and economic regeneration.

Once assessed, recommendations will be made to the Council’s Decision Panel.

What conditions apply to the grant?

All grant offers are made in writing setting out conditions, including a timeframe of a maximum of nine months from the date of the grant offer letter to deliver the project. Full details of the conditions that apply to the grant are set out in the grant offer letter.

All grants are conditional on securing appropriate planning consent where required. The scheme operates independently of the planning process and as such, securing planning permission does not imply in any way that a grant application will be approved or vice versa.

When is the grant paid?

Grant contribution payments are made retrospectively and on production of:

• Receipted invoices from contractors showing a detailed breakdown of costs
• Pictures of the finished project
• Satisfactory proof that, where required, planning and any other permissions have been obtained
• Completion of all works

In exceptional circumstances, the council will consider providing stage payments to help with cash flow.

The application process

1. Where required, in the first instance contact Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council with any questions or for areas that require clarification in connection with the project idea and with completing the application form.
2. Fully complete the application form online and submit for consideration ahead of the deadline.
3. Once the scheme has closed to applications, the individual submissions are considered by the panel (in accordance with Section 10) and a decision made.
4. If approved, a formal Grant Offer Letter is issued giving the applicant 9 months to complete their project (if planning permission is required but not yet secured, the grant offer will be conditional on achieving the required permission).
5. If declined, the applicant will receive feedback explaining the decision of the panel.
6. As stated in Section 8, advice should be sought from the Planning Department if you are uncertain as to whether permission is required. This can be done through the submission of a Lawful Development Certificate proposal. Please note, this service is subject to a fee.
7. If permission is required, prepare the planning/other permissions application(s) (including appropriate plans, application forms and relevant fees) and submit to the relevant Planning Dept. (Please note, there is a duration of at least 8 weeks for determining the planning application).
8. Before work starts on site, please advise us of the planned commencement date.
9. Work starts on site.
10. Works complete.
11. Submit evidence of completion, including photographs, receipted invoices, and confirmation of permissions together with bank details.
12. Checks are made by the Council to verify the works have been completed and that the documentation provided is correct and in order.
13. Council Officer approves the works.
14. Grant paid retrospectively (unless stage payments have been agreed).