LISTED buildings deemed to be at risk in the Malvern Hills district will no longer qualify for district council cash.

The council is phasing out its Stitch in Time grants at the end of this financial year, even though the money has helped save numerous buildings from further deterioration and decay.

In a report to the Malvern Hills District Council's planning committee on January 14, head of planning Gary Williams revealed that nine listed buildings at risk had been grant-aided through the £14,900 Stitch in Time budget since April 1, 2002, with grant offers being considered on five more, totalling £14,375.

"The grants have already been targeted with greater direction and a more pro-active approach to listed buildings at risk than in previous years," said Mr Williams.

"They've led to vital repairs being carried out on them and the buildings being saved from further deterioration and decay. The impact has been measurable."

He hinted that the scrapping of the Stitch in Time grant might end up costing the council more money.

"For the first time in a number of years, Malvern Hills District Council cannot offer any positive financial assistance to listed building owners, as a carrot, to complement the stick of possible enforcement action.

"Enforcement action, in the shape of building preservation notices or repairs notices, can leave the council facing significant financial costs which might be avoided by judicious offering of grants at the critical period of the building's decay."

The district has 1,830 listed buildings. When they were surveyed in 1999, 70 were found to be at risk of loss through neglect, with a further 24 "vulnerable".

The listed buildings register will shortly be published on the council's website, at: www.malvernhills. gov.uk