Historic England has published its annual Heritage at Risk Register for 2021. The Register is the yearly health-check of England’s most valued historic places and those most at risk of being lost forever as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
Over the last year, 17 historic buildings sites in Yorkshire have been removed from the Register. Many have been saved thanks to the hard work and dedication of local communities and owners, who have come together with public funders to rescue places despite the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic over the past 18 months.
Over the past year Historic England has awarded £1.8 million in grants to historic places in Yorkshire, more than £800,000 of which came from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund.
Four sites in Yorkshire have been added to the Register because of concerns about their condition. They are at risk of being lost forever as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
Trevor Mitchell, Regional Director for the North East and Yorkshire at Historic England said: “Our heritage is an anchor for us all in testing times. It provides beautiful places that make us feel good. This year’s Register shows that looking after our historic places can contribute to the country’s economic and social recovery as well as bring communities together to enjoy their surroundings.
“The 17 sites saved this year in Yorkshire show what’s possible with strong partnerships investing together to secure public benefits. Agencies such as Natural England, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England recognise the importance that historic places have for their local communities. Whether it’s an overgrown pleasure ground, an abandoned anti-aircraft site, or the forgotten cradle of Leeds’ trading power, it’s clear that restoring our heritage improves people’s lives.”
Heritage Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “I’m delighted that so many famous landmarks have been removed from the Heritage at Risk register in 2021. We’ve supported the sector throughout the pandemic with our unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund and it’s great news to see this investment, along with other financial support, having such a positive impact. Heritage helps us understand our past and bringing old buildings and sites back into public use helps us to level up communities, create growth and protect these important assets for future generations.”
Sites Rescued And Removed From The Heritage At Risk Register In 2021 Yorkshire Include:
SAVED: Plumpton Rocks, Harrogate
Considered one of the finest 18th century landscapes in the North of England, it was twice painted by JMW Turner.
SAVED: First White Cloth Hall, Leeds
The hall represents the beginnings of the city’s wealth, through its successful cloth trade.
SAVED: Butt Farm anti-aircraft site, East Riding
First operational in 1941, it was built to defend Hull from the attacks of high-flying bombers in World War II.
SAVED: Howardian Hills Monument Management Scheme
As a result of the scheme, 16 scheduled monuments have been removed from the Register and six have seen their condition improve.
Full list of sites removed in 2021 from the Heritage at Risk Register in Yorkshire
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Henry Simpson’s Barn, Appletreewick, Craven, North Yorkshire
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Butterton Bridge, Sawley / Warsill, North Yorkshire
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Round barrow in the west of Scarrish Wood, Barton-le-Street, North Yorkshire
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Alum quarries and works 800m north of Sandsend Bridge, Lythe, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
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Round barrow 545m NNW of Wool Knoll, Hovingham, North Yorkshire
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Two round barrows 600m NNE of the north east corner of North Ings Plantation, Commondale, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
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Round barrow 170m north of Wool Knoll, Hovingham, North Yorkshire
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Alum works at Kettleness, Lythe, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
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Site S of Maiden’s Grave Farm, Burton Fleming, East Riding of Yorkshire
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Cross dyke 600m north west of Easthorpe Farm, Appleton-le-Street with Easthorpe, North Yorkshire
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Wesleyan Chapel and Hall, The Green, Slingsby, North Yorkshire
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Round barrow 350m south west of Moor House Farm, Hovingham, North Yorkshire
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Section of the Cleave Dyke system 200m south east of Yorkshire Gliding Club, Kilburn High and Low, Hambleton, North Yorkshire
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Plumpton Rocks, Plompton, North Yorkshire
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Heavy Anti-aircraft gunsite, 350m west of Butt Farm, Walkington, East Riding of Yorkshire
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Cockan Cross wayside cross 600m west of Fox Hole Crag, Bransdale, Ryedale, North Yorkshire
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First Leeds White Cloth Hall, 98-101 (consecutive), Kirkgate, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Full list of sites added in 2021 to the Heritage at Risk Register in Yorkshire
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Low Whita (Bells) Farm (West), Grinton, Richmondshire, North Yorkshire
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Low Whita (Bells) Farm (East), Grinton, Richmondshire, North Yorkshire
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Round barrow 300m south west of Cot Nab Farm, Bishop Wilton, East Riding of Yorkshire
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15 and 16, St Hilda’s Terrace, Whitby, North Yorkshire
