HOPES remain that a historic Malvern building will be "preserved for education purposes".

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin welcomed Department for Education confirmation that negotiations continue to save the former Malvern Hills College site which is being marketed for community use.

A High Court judgement last year against Malvern Hills District Council allowed owners Warwickshire College Group (WCG) to set aside the covenant protecting the site solely for education.

Mrs Baldwin said: “I’ve had a detailed response from the minister outlining the latest news and he has confirmed the door is still open to bidders to come forward.

“Although the community-led bid has fallen away, I remain hopeful the site will be preserved for education purposes and I continue to talk to relevant providers in case someone can come forward to rescue the site."

MP Robert Halfon, minister for skills, apprenticeships and higher education, met with the WCG senior leadership team last month.

Any buyer must pay funds to both the district council and WCG if it makes a future profit on its sale.

WCG confirmed proceeds from selling the Albert Road North building, which closed in 2021, will be ploughed back into its Pershore and Evesham education sites.

Mrs Baldwin said: “I am also pleased to hear that any proceeds from the sale will be retained to support learners in Worcestershire and this is a commitment that I will be following closely.

“At the moment the former Malvern Hills College building is a sad sight and it needs a new owner to bring it back into community use.”

Campaign group Save Malvern Hills College raised funds to buy it through Malvern Hills Arts and Community College but a £1.2 million-plus bid was rejected.

Mary Brittain, of Save Malvern Hills College, said: "WCG has always maintained that it wished to sell to an education or community group. However, the terms and asking price required by WCG, having paid no money for the site themselves in 2016, have made it almost impossible for any such group to take it on and probably still do.

"Sadly, the site, already requiring significant works two-and-a-half years ago, will now be in an even greater state of disrepair and by 2027 will require hugely costly works to bring it in line with the energy efficiency law, meaning the group or body taking it on will need incredibly deep pockets but we live in hope and will naturally support any efforts to do so."

A WCG response had not been received before the Gazette deadline.