IWAS a little concerned over the article 'Council dumps renewal scheme' and feel the position should be clarified.

Wychavon District Council's decision to de-declare Bengeworth as a Renewal Area results directly from the loss of Government subsidy with effect from April 1 2000.

Under the scheme, the council spent nearly £4 million of local taxpayers' money in the Bengeworth area. Now that this area has been de-declared, the private sector renewal grants which have benefited the residents of Bengeworth are available across the district to any houseowner who falls within the Government's criteria.

The council feels that in the circumstances and bearing in mind the council's limited resources, continuation of the Bengeworth scheme without Government subsidy would be unfair to other residents in the district. In addition, the council feels that despite problems with the administration of the scheme the vast majority of the outstanding grant-aided works have been completed and works will continue to resolve a handful of outstanding complaints.

Coun D S Noyes, Chairman of Housing and Economic Development Committee, Wychavon District Council.