Grimsbury 'eyesore' building revamp planned

If plans are approved the council said work at the site could begin in the summer

A disused 150-year-old building could be redeveloped into five flats under a council scheme that would see the people who help revamp it living in it.

The property on West Street in Grimsbury is described by Cherwell District Council as "an eyesore".

The authority has now bought it and hopes to refurbish it under its Build! initiative.

The project sees applicants, who have to be listed on the housing register, help to build their own homes.

The council said proposals for the building, which has been empty for about five years, are still being finalised and will be subject to planning consent.

'Vital regeneration'

If approved, the authority said work at the site could begin in the summer and once completed the flats would be available on a shared-ownership basis.

Councillor Ann Bonner, who represents the Banbury Grimsbury and Castle ward, said: "This is an excellent conclusion to what will be the start of a vital regeneration for the area."

The building, which previously housed six bedsits, was last owned by A2Dominion which will work in partnership with the council on the redevelopment project.

Build! aims to provide 250 homes in the Cherwell district by the end of the 2014/15 financial year.

It is mainly funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and also provides training to applicants, such as plumbing, tiling and electrical work.