Cash to revamp derelict buildings

A Derbyshire council is offering cash in a bid to give run-down and disused buildings a new lease of life.

The county council's Redundant Buildings Grant Scheme helps the owners of derelict buildings bring them back into use.

Grants of between £10,000 and £75,000 will be awarded to support substantial repairs and essential works.

A spokesperson from Derbyshire County Council said the funding scheme was open until the end of March 2011.

Derbyshire County Council's cabinet member for regeneration, Simon Spencer, said: "It's a real waste to see buildings that have fallen into disrepair standing idle when they could be put to such good use.

"These grants could help to turn some of the buildings around and give a real boost to local communities, both economically and environmentally".

He added that people applying for grants would need to be able to show that the newly restored buildings would provide new business opportunities, create new jobs and benefit the local economy.