A scheme which gives rundown rural buildings a new lease of life has been extended to cover more areas of Derbyshire.

The Redundant Buildings Grant Scheme has been run by Derbyshire County Council on behalf of the Derby and Derbyshire Economic Partnership (DDEP) since 2005.

More than £300,000 has been given in grants to eight projects and more projects are set to benefit as the scheme runs until March 2011.

Rundown buildings in market towns and rural areas across Derbyshire are now eligible to apply to the Redundant Buildings Grant Scheme, which has been extended countywide from 1 April thanks to extra DDEP funding.


The scheme, which already covers Amber Valley, Erewash, South Derbyshire, the High Peak and Derbyshire Dales districts now includes the new areas of Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Bolsover.

It can also be used in towns as well as rural areas and should be used to support substantial repairs and essential works to the fabric of a building to bring it back into economic use.

The Redundant Buildings Grant Scheme offers grants of 25% of the full cost to owners of redundant or derelict buildings who convert them for business use.

The minimum grant awarded will be £10,000 but grants will also be available up to a maximum of £75,000.

People applying for grants will need to be able to show that their newly restored buildings will be able to provide new business opportunities, particularly workspace, creating new jobs and benefiting the local economy.

Confirmation will be needed that all planning permission has been granted for any work before grants are given out. The grants are open to a range of people including owner occupiers, limited companies, charities and co-operatives.

(CD/BMcC)