We are still the worst, though it’s not as bad

Jun 23 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

THERE are 82 Grade I and II* buildings at risk of decay or neglect in the North East.

Nine sites have come off English Heritage’s 2009 at risk register, while six have been added.

The number of sites moving down the priority scale for level of risk totalled 20 with nine going in the opposite direction.

Although the figures show some improvement, the North East continues to have the highest percentage, at 7.2%, of Grade I and II* listed buildings considered to be at risk in the country. The national average is 3.1%.

Among the additions to the at risk list is the prominent Keelman’s Hospital, overlooking Newcastle Quayside.

It was built in 1701 by the Tyne’s keelmen to care for their aged and poor colleagues.

The building was used as student accommodation but is now standing empty.

Also new to the risk register is the 1777 pedestrian Prebend’s Bridge, which is owned by Durham Cathedral and is part of the world heritage site. A cathedral spokeswoman said that water from an underground spring was seeping into the bridge and if it freezes it can cause stone-splitting.

The cathedral is looking for funding for investigative work, with the full bill to solve the problem likely to be over £1m.

Other additions are the coastal artillery battery at Blyth Links; 5-13, Grey Street, and 4, Old Eldon Square, both Newcastle; Westgate Primitive Methodist Chapel, Stanhope, County Durham.

Off the list are the Iron Bridge, Cragside; Blenkinsopp Castle, Greenhead; Homilton Farm dovecot: Caw Burn – Cockmount Hill, Hadrian’s Wall, all Northumberland; Old Hollinside, Gateshead; West Range, Kepier Hospital, Durham City; Tockett’s Mill, Guisborough; Holy Trinity Church, Stockton; folly in Raby Park, Tees Valley. Blenkinsopp Castle has been removed after a project that saw the owners learn traditional construction skills necessary to carry out the repairs.

English Heritage said that a key issue for the North East is that almost half of the region’s at risk sites are isolated ruins.

The regional register also contains many industrial sites where the remains can cover a wide area and contain a host of structures, often individually listed.

Some are capable of reuse, with many presenting opportunities for interpretation and, once repaired, increased access as part of local walks and trails or farm diversification schemes, all of which can stimulate tourism.

Last year English Heritage gave grants worth £1.6m regionally for repairs to 40 entries on the register.