Businesses in North Yorkshire are to be offered cash incentives to take over run-down buildings and do them up.

They are being offered up to 25 per cent of the cost of doing up redundant eyesores by the Rural Development Commission, in a scheme which aims to cut the number of new buildings in the countryside.

The grant scheme was originally launched 14 years ago, and nationally the commission has given more than £28 million to owners and tenants of nearly 4000 rural buildings. Over the last three years, in North Yorkshire alone, aid has amounted to £492,000 for 43 buildings, generating investment totalling almost £2 million.

But the commission says that fewer businesses than hoped were taking up the offer - prompting a high-profile relaunch in a bid to get more takers.

The Commission's business development officer, Andy Tordoff, said putting life back into dilapidated buildings eased the pressure on plans to build large development sites around the county.

"We believe there are many buildings lying idle around the county which could become productive sources of income for everyone, including their owners," he said.

"The environmental advantages of transforming existing redundant buildings are greatly significant."

Virtually any building can be eligible for the scheme in a rural development area, but the key criteria is that it must be used for business purposes once the renovation work is completed.

Application for grant aid has to be made before work starts. Individuals, partnerships, limited companies, co-operatives or charitable trusts can apply for grants. Tenants must have a fixed term lease with at least five years to run until the expires, as well as written consent for the work by the landlord.

For more information contact the Rural Development Commission, Spitfire House, Aviator Court, Clifton Moor, York, Y03 4UZ. Tel 01904 693335.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.