A large three-storey stone house with multiple chimneys and a timbered end section. — © Historic England Archive. DP325469.

Heritage at Risk in the Midlands Revealed

Published 10 November 2022

Today, Historic England publishes its annual Heritage at Risk Register for 2022. 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.

Map showing places on the Heritage at Risk Register

What's at risk near you?

Find Heritage at Risk on an interactive map. Move around the map to see what's at risk in your area or use the address search.

Highlights from sites saved in 2022

Over the past year, 41 historic buildings and sites have been added to the Register in the Midlands because of their deteriorating condition and 49 sites have been saved and their futures secured. Many have been rescued thanks to heritage partners and dedicated teams of volunteers, community groups, charities, owners and councils, working together with Historic England.

Saved: Elmley Castle Village Cross Wychavon, Worcestershire

A medieval standing cross that marked the way for pilgrims and travellers, is now a testament to community action.

In recent years the Elmley Castle cross had started to lean, putting it at risk of collapse, which would have damaged the shaft and cross head.

The local community worked with Historic England to monitor this and following a grant from Historic England, repairs were undertaken that has secured its future for many travellers to come.

A colourful group of six people and one dog pose next to the Village Cross; an approximately-three meter high stone monument.

Portrait of fundraising team for restoration of the village cross. Historic England. DP348188

Saved: Coventry Charterhouse, London Road, Coventry

A Grade I former monastery given to the people of Coventry, now ready to serve the local community again.

The Charterhouse site was added to the HAR Register in 2013 as it was not being fully utilised, the roof was in poor condition and the exceptional wall paintings were under threat.

It has recently had a major refurbishment to repair and re-purpose the building and surrounding site as a heritage attraction

An intricate navy blue and plaster white mural, painted onto the end wall of a room. Two door holes and marked into the mural. One is now blocked up.

View of a Tudor wall painting. The painting is thought to have been produced by a visiting Flemish artist. Historic England. DP325471

Saved: Kibworth Harcourt Mill, Kibworth, Harborough, Leicestershire

Kibworth Harcourt Mill is the only surviving post mill in Leicestershire.

Owned by the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings (SPAB), it has recently carried out a comprehensive programme of repairs, all the while being careful to conserve even the smallest historic details, for example the graffiti left inside from millers who have worked there in the past.

Today it stands repaired to its former self, fully operational once more.

A wooden windmill with sail frames atop a brick base. Additional buildings in background and to the sides.

Restored postmill with redbrick round house and timber framed body. Historic England. DP313030

Highlights from sites added to the register

In the Midlands, 41 sites 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.

At Risk: Papplewick Pumping Station, Ravenshead, Nottinghamshire

This scheduled monument and registered park and garden is home to several buildings.

Built between 1882-1886 in the Gothic Revival style, Papplewick Pumping Station provided clean water to Nottingham until it was decommissioned in 1969.

Papplewick Pumping Station has been added to the Heritage at Risk register as areas have suffered age-related deterioration, including the Grade II* Boiler House’s chimney.

An ornate square red-brick building with short spire, surrounded by trees.

South elevation of Papplewick water pumping station engine house, boiler house and workshop. Historic England. DP312975

At Risk: Birmingham & Midland Institute, Margaret Street, B3

Grade II* Victorian Building with significant cultural history at risk from leaking roof.

The Birmingham & Midland Institute, built in 1899, has been at the heart of Birmingham’s cultural life for almost 170 years.

However, it has fallen into disrepair in recent years with the roofs now leaking copiously onto the plasterwork below causing damage.

A red-brick two-storey building on Margaret Street, with the name "Birmingham & Midlands Institute".

General view of Birmingham Midlands Institute from the South. Historic England. DP348163

At Risk - Middleton Hall North Warwickshire

A Grade II* Country House and estate, once abandoned to ruin, undergoing a transformation thanks to dedicated volunteers.

The Middleton Hall site has been occupied for almost 1000 years and incorporates buildings that date back to the 12^th Century.

However, the Hall is a work in progress and in recent years Historic England has awarded £237,000 in grant funding to help with repairs to the Great Hall roof.

Heritage at Risk 2022 in brief

The Heritage at Risk Register 2022 reveals that in the Midlands:

248 Buildings or Structures (Grade I and II* listed buildings and structural scheduled monuments)
266 places of worship
205 Archaeology entries (non-structural scheduled monuments)
15 parks and gardens
128 conservation areas

…are at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate change.

In total, there are 849 entries across the Midlands on the 2022 Heritage at Risk Register.