Maryport Residential Conversion Scheme

Allerdale Borough Council encouraged owners of properties in the centre of Maryport to make use of a new grant scheme that enabled them to restore unoccupied buildings.

The Maryport Residential Conversion Scheme (MRCS), launched on 21 March 2022, to help the owners of eligible properties carry out high-quality repair and restoration works that bring unoccupied first floor (or above) floorspace into use for residential purposes.

Grants were offered to owners of eligible properties to help cover the cost of approved renovation works. Based on the maximum grant available per property, a minimum of 15 properties will be brought back into use for residential purposes as a result of the scheme. Properties eligible to make an application for funding must be located within the MCRS area, which covers sections of Senhouse Street, Crosby Street and Curzon Street. 

Here is a map of the MCRS area:

Properties had to be as unoccupied and substantially unfurnished at the time of application, unless the unoccupied space forms part of a larger unit (e.g., an empty storeroom above a shop). Eligible properties also had to have independent access from the ground floor or see this created as part of the grant-funded works. 

Typically, a grant funding was offered at a rate of 80% of eligible costs, however, each application was assessed on its own merits and significance.

The maximum grant available for any eligible property is £75,000. 

This scheme is now closed for applications.