Homeowners in restoration funding boost

HOMEOWNERS and businesses across Leith are to be offered money to restore their properties' traditional features.

Grants will be made available for work on features like windows, doors, railings and stonework.

An open evening is to be held tonight in South Leith Parish Church Halls, on Henderson Street, to launch the project, which is financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund's Townscape Heritage Initiative.

City planning convener Jim Lowrie said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for people to take advantage of such an exciting grant scheme and renovate their properties.

"It can be extremely expensive to do up older-style properties, especially in these tough financial times. Any financial help people can get is great and I would urge householders to take advantage and attend the launch."

The grants will cover 75 per cent of project costs and have been introduced as a result of Leith's strong architectural heritage, which organisers believe has been affected by "unsympathetic alterations" to many historic buildings in recent years.

Tonight's meeting is an informal drop-in event and runs from 6pm-8pm.