CONCERNS are growing about a project intended to alleviate damp problems affecting the Grade I listed St Mary's Church in Hadleigh.One buttress foundation to the west of the church porch has already crumbled and there are fears the rest of the foundations could have been undermined.

CONCERNS are growing about a project intended to alleviate damp problems affecting the Grade I listed St Mary's Church in Hadleigh.

One buttress foundation to the west of the church porch has already crumbled and there are fears the rest of the foundations could have been undermined.

Work has now been stopped and English Heritage, which was contributing about £7,000 to an overall cost in the region of £34,000 for the renovations, is withholding the money.

The scheme, designed by David Whymark, of Polstead, a specialist in building design and conservation, saw a trench dug around part of the outside wall of the church, exposing foundations and flint work that had previously been underground.

An underground drain was laid below the south aisle, the trench was lined with bricks and an attempt was made to repair the crumbling mortar in the flint work.

John Bloomfield, a member of the St Mary's parochial church council building committee, said: "I'm very concerned that if work is not done, more damage could be done to the building because the trenches are filling with water. Surface water is now being directed at the southern foundations with no means of escape."

James Halsall, the assistant diocesan secretary dealing with the situation, said: "We know there's a problem and are working with English Heritage, the parochial church council and their professional adviser to resolve the issue.

"Meetings have been held on site with Babergh's conservation officer to find an acceptable solution and we are confident that an answer will be found shortly."