THE vast majority of the £5.45 million the Isle of Wight Council spends on maintaining empty properties, has been invested into regeneration projects, the authority has stated.

The Isle of Wight Council's expenditure came to light in a study by the TaxPayers’ Alliance, which highlighted the cost of vacant council-owned buildings nationwide.

Read more: Isle of Wight Council spend almost £5.5 million on empty properties

The Island authority's spend was the highest in the South East region, according to the study.

But the Isle of Wight Council has questioned the depth of the TaxPayers' Alliance's research into how the money was spent.

A spokesperson said: "A proper study of the data from the TaxPayers' Alliance would present a more accurate understanding of the amount spent through the local authority.

"The vast majority of the spend has been over £5.4 million on regeneration projects of the Columbine Building and Victoria Barracks in East Cowes.

"This has been grant money from government funds for the benefit of job creation and job retention on the Island."

The council also said that around £45,000 has been spent on security costs, to safeguard empty buildings as they are prepared for sale, or repurposing.

The TaxPayers’ Alliance is urging councils to reconsider expanding their property portfolios and, to sell off empty properties if they cannot be filled.

The funds from selling these investments can currently only be used for capital purposes, or for projects leading to ongoing savings or efficiency improvements, the group says.