Yesterday Historic England revealed their updated 2024 At Risk Register, which identifies structures most at risk of being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.
Every year, buildings are taken off the list because of restoration work, while others are added because of deterioration.
In Lancashire, the only change for 2024 was the addition of the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Church Street, Ormskirk.
This Grade II* building is said to have “a very complicated history of rebuilding and enlargement” but has roots in the 12th century. Historic England state: “Distinctive for having both a west tower and a separate spire over the entrance porch. West tower stonework appears very poor, with considerable wear and erosion. Exacerbated to the southwest by an outflow pipe channelling water onto the stonework below. Some repairs evident in the stonework on the north elevation of the tower, but poor stonework is widespread.”
Click on the pictures below to see other key buildings across Lancashire also on the At Risk Register 2024.
5. Church of St Michael, Church Street, Croston
A Grade II* place of worship, this church is in "poor" condition and declining, at "immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric" despite floor and roof repairs in 2017. | Google Photo: Google
6. Winter Gardens, Morecambe
The Winter Gardens opened in 1897 as the Victoria Pavillion Concert Hall and Variety Theatre, as an extension to the existing Winter Gardens Complex which opened in 1878. Built as both a concert hall and variety theatre, its 2500 capacity was one of the largest in the North West and it quickly became known as the Albert Hall of the North. By the mid-1970s, its fortunes were in decline and by 1977, the decision was taken to close the whole complex, culminating in 1982 with the demolition of the original Winter Gardens leaving only the theatre remaining and in a perilous position. However, a group of dedicated people formed the Friends of the Winter Gardens and have worked together since then with one aim to reopen the building. With the formation of the Preservation Trust in 2006, ownership of the Winter Gardens was transferred to the charitable body who have spent years cleaning, restoring, and fundraising to continue this aim. Now under new governance, the Preservation Trust with the help of its restoration volunteers and the Friends of the Winter Gardens are a step closer to the dream of finally restoring this remarkable Grade II* listed building. It is rated by Historic England as being in "fair condition" with "slow decay". Photo: Submit
7. North Promenade, Blackpool
North Promenade, Blackpool is rated as in poor condition and deteriorating. Heritage England inspectors found high levels of vacancy and underused buildings, dereliction and loss of buildings, poor quality and inappropriate alterations and repairs, lack of maintenance and the use of front gardens for parking. They said: "No action/strategy identified or agreed". | Google Photo: Google
8. St Alphonsa of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, St Ignatius Square, Preston
This Grade II building dating from 1833, was added to t he Heritage at Risk register in 2023. It is said to be in poor and declining condition, with "immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric; no solution agreed". Photo: Alun Bull