Renfrewshire Council’s creation of a £250,000 conservation and heritage grants scheme has been heralded as a “great initiative” that offers “more bang for its buck” across the local authority.

The venture – open to owners of village buildings built in 1945 or before – aims to support projects at listed properties, those on the buildings at risk register or within a conservation area and others presented to its regeneration team.

Owners could apply for a maintenance planning grant where an accredited professional advisor undertakes an external survey and prepares a costed plan for a privately owned historic property – with up to £1,500 available per property.

Repair grants of up to 60 per cent of costs for projects up to £8,000 and 50 per cent for higher value repairs were also available, with roof and window repairs being the most common application.

The scheme was discussed at Tuesday’s economy and regeneration policy board and welcomed by Councillor John McNaughtan.

The SNP representative for Paisley East and Central said: “I think it’s a great initiative and I would say it probably gives us greater value for money.

“We get more bang for our buck in small grants to some of these historic buildings than the multi-hundred-thousand-pound grants for some of the larger town centre buildings.

“It also encourages owners to maintain their buildings and I think it is something that will grow.

“It’s not something that’s just a one-off, it needs to be a rolling programme.

“I think some of the towns – Paisley, Renfrew – could take some lessons from this and target some more of the grant money to smaller schemes because you get more for your money.”

To date, 19 grants totalling £186,000 have been offered for repairs, with 11 further offers pending additional information being supplied by applicants, while eight maintenance planning grants have been accepted by owners.

Councillor Andy Steel, board convener, said last week he was “delighted” with the uptake of the scheme.

The SNP representative for Johnstone South and Elderslie added: “Supporting owners to make essential repairs recognises the historical importance of the buildings to the local area.

“Owners were also able to access grants for a costed maintenance plan which will be essential to ensuring their building doesn’t deteriorate and its history is maintained for the local community.”