Historic England has revealed the latest additions to its ‘Heritage At Risk Register.’ This is the annual round-up of historic sites and structures in England that it considers to be most at risk of being permanently lost as a result of neglect, decay, or inappropriate development. 159 buildings have been added to the register during the past year.
There are now a total of 4,871 entries on the list, with 203 being rescued and preserved since 2022. One of the new candidates for restoration is the Grade II* listed building Holbeche House in the West Midlands, which is noted for being the site where some members of the gunpowder plot were either killed or captured in 1605.
The building has most recently been used as a care home, but currently stands empty. Local campaigners are attempting to persuade the National Trust to take the building on and open it up for visitors. The house has been listed for both its architectural importance and for its historical significance, as the ringleader of the Gunpowder Plot was shot dead there.
Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive,Historic England, said: “Protecting our heritage is so important. It is truly inspirational to see communities coming together to help save historic buildings and places and find new uses for them. The Heritage at Risk programme shines a light on our historic sites most in need and can help to attract funding and help.”
He added: “After a quarter of a century of the Heritage at Risk Register, we are celebrating how many places have been saved and continue to find new ways to involve local people in caring for and enjoying their heritage.”
The register includes 1,418 buildings and structures, 943 places of worship, 1,916 archaeological sites, 483 conservation areas, 104 parks and gardens, four wrecks and three battlefields. 2023 is the 25th anniversary of the first publication of the Heritage at Risk Register, which began in 1998.
Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, Arts and Heritage Minister, said: “For a quarter of a century, the Heritage at Risk Register has helped to focus efforts to preserve cherished sites across the country.”
He added: “ It is heartening to see that so many sites have had their futures secured and have been taken off the Register over the past year thanks to the hard work of Historic England and local people.”
“ I look forward to the new additions to the Register receiving similar care and attention so that future generations can continue to enjoy and learn from our rich heritage for years to come.”
Sites that have been successfully preserved this year include Bourn Mill in Cambridgeshire, which is one of the oldest windmills in England, and Tolpuddle Old Chapel in Dorset, which played an important role in the activities of the Tolpuddle Martyrs, a group of agricultural labourers who were arrested for protesting about their meagre wages.
