Heritage development grants for buildings in Christchurch's central city area will be considered by the City Council later this month.

The Strategy and Resources Committee has recommended to the Council that the grants be approved for a trial period of three years.

It also recommended that after the trial period the scheme be reviewed and consideration be given to extending it to cover the whole city.

The scheme, if approved, will be limited to restoration, conservation and reuse of commercial and industrial buildings within the four avenues to meet Central City Revitalisation objectives.

Eligibility will be limited to developments with a building consent value of more than $50,000.

Proposals seeking to retain facades only will not be eligible. Payments of grants will start after completion of the work and in the year the rates increase as a result of the redevelopment and the grant will be equal to the rate increase resulting from the new work and not from a general property revaluation.

The Council will consider the recommendations at its Thursday 23 August meeting.

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