COMMUNITY projects in North Yorkshire will get grants following the reduced council tax discount for second homes.

Bill Cross, the county council's head of corporate policy, told the authority that other North Yorkshire councils were taking advantage of new Government legislation to reduce the tax cuts to owners of second homes and empty properties.

The county council has set up a community fund to support projects, which was worth almost £1.9m in the last financial year and £1.6m this year. Some of the extra money generated will go towards the community fund.

Eighty per cent of the fund will be used to help community ventures, including providing affordable homes.

Mr Cross said: "A capital programme to provide affordable homes is being developed. Some £267,000 is being earmarked, together with match-funding from the Housing Corporation, borrowing and land being made available at a discount."