Lichfield District Council has admitted new funding options will be needed in order to rescue “at risk” historic buildings in Fazeley and Bonehill.
A bid for more than £960,000 as part of the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) Townscape Heritage programme was rejected earlier this year.
Feedback has since suggested that the pot of money being sought – which would have been boosted by a £34,000 contribution from Lichfield District Council – was unlikely to have been enough to achieve the project’s aims.
Buildings such as Tolson’s Mill in Fazeley had been earmarked for restoration if the application had been successful.
A report to the council’s economic growth and development overview and scrutiny committee meeting next week said: “The HLF had concerns that at the level requested, a significant positive visual impact to the townscape through the works proposed would not be achieved.
“This point was particularly relevant in terms of the large vacant buildings in the area, most notably Tolson’s Mill and the Bonehill Mill complex.
“Concerns were expressed that the funding level would not be sufficient to fully address the issues the buildings were experiencing.
“There was a risk that partial restoration would not facilitate occupancy or secure the buildings’ long term sustainability.”
The HLF said it did recognise the “clear historic link” between Fazeley and Bonehill, but added that the geographic link was not strong enough.
The new report said that any further bids were unlikely to be successful.
“It is clear from the feedback received that the HLF do not see Fazeley and Bonehill conservation area as a potential future Townscape Heritage site,” the report admitted.
“It is, however, clearly evident that there remains significant conservation need in Fazeley and Bonehill. There is also strong support for intervention to bring derelict buildings back into re-use.
“While we have been unsuccessful and do not recommend pursuing a resubmission, there still remains a large number of listed buildings at risk in Fazeley and Bonehill.
“As such, other funding opportunities will be brought to the attention of property owners.”