A VICTORIAN villa in Great Malvern has been added to a list of threatened historic buildings.

Walmer Lodge in Abbey Road has stood empty for years and there is growing concern about its “deteriorating condition”.

Save Britain’s Heritage, which has been campaigning for the conservation of buildings since 1975, has added Walmer Lodge to its ‘at risk’ register.

It says the property was “built no doubt like many of the other large, handsome houses on Abbey Road to provide accommodation to visitors to Malvern at a time when it was a flourishing spa town.

“Many came for the hydrotherapy cures and required a hotel or lodging house.

“The house has variously served as a lodging house, hotel and restaurant but has been standing empty for a considerable number of years.”

Planning permission was granted in 2006 to convert the former hotel and restaurant into 11 serviced apartments.

Revised plans to turn Walmer Lodge into 13 flats were turned down by Malvern Hills District Council in 2013.

“Now the house is in deteriorating condition and has caused concerns locally about safety,” says Save Britain’s Heritage.

“Boards were erected to try to prevent easy entry to the property some years ago but are themselves looking shabby and in need of maintenance.

“We understand that councillors are aware that there is great local concern about the condition of the house and why it has been allowed to deteriorate to this extent.

“At the very least, the outside of the property should be brought back into good condition but a more comprehensive solution is what is really needed.”

Great Malvern Priory is among the buildings listed on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register.

The Priory’s inclusion came about because its stained glass was in urgent need of repair.

Historic England recognised the building as being “overall in fair condition”.

Churches in Lower Howsell, Powick and Hanley Castle were also included on the list.