08/07/2008
Buildings progress recognised
Liverpool City Council is welcoming a new report which shows it is making solid progress in improving at risk buildings in the city.
English Heritage has just released its new-style 'Heritage at Risk Register' - an enhanced version of its previous, annual 'Buildings at Risk Register' covering grade I (one) and II* (two star) listed buildings.
The number of buildings on the list in Liverpool is down from ten to nine, following the removal of the group of four, late-Georgian properties at 98-102a High Street in Wavertree after action over the last two years.
Of the nine buildings on the list, three have received improved, lower gradings as a result of council action. They are: Croxteth Hall and the laundry cottage within the hall's grounds which have been improved as part of a programme of maintenance; and the Royal Insurance Building on North John Street, where planning permission and listed building consent for a new spa hotel are progressing.
Councillor Berni Turner, executive member for the environment and the council's historic environment champion, said: "I am pleased that the hard work going on to restore the city's most historic buildings has been recognised by English Heritage.
"We are absolutely committed to doing all we can to tackle the problems caused by owners letting their buildings fall into disrepair and become an eyesore.
"However there is still much to be done and we will continue to work through the Stop the Rot forum to secure the future of Liverpool's built heritage as part of the city's regeneration.
"There is an incredible amount of behind the scenes negotiation going on to tackle this issue in Liverpool and I am confident we will see more progress in the near future."
Two buildings have worse gradings: The North Warehouse at Stanley Dock because of continued vacancy and deterioration, and St James's Church on Parliament Street because of difficulty finding a long-term use. However progress is being made in both cases as the Stanley Dock warehouses have had approval from the planning committee for adaptation and re-use, while the Churches Conservation Trust has repaired St James's Church.
The 2008 Register also introduces a new ranking for all English local authorities within seven bands. The first band has the lowest proportion of grade I and II* buildings and monuments at risk, the seventh the highest. Liverpool is ranked within the fifth band, which compares well with most large urban areas who fall within the higher sixth and seventh rankings.
The full list of buildings on the at-risk list is:
St Luke's Church, Berry Street
Wellington Rooms, Mount Pleasant
Royal Insurance Building, North John Street
Sugar Silo, Regent Road
St Andrew's Church, Rodney Street
St James's Church, Parliament Street
Croxteth Hall, Croxteth
Croxteth Hall laundry/laundry cottage
North Warehouse, Stanley Dock
For more information about Buildings at Risk, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk
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