Heritage at Risk Register 2022: London’s Boston Manor House among saved - 17 buildings deemed as ‘at risk’

A further 17 heritage buildings in London have been categorised as ‘at risk’ due to their ‘deteriorating’ condition, including Grade II-listed monument Brentford Fountain in Hounslow. According to the Heritage at Risk Register 2022 report published on Thursday (November 10), these buildings could be lost forever as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.

Historic England, which published the report, said the Victorian drinking fountain on Hayes Road is in need of repairs after it has suffered from anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and littering in recent years. The fountain originally stood near Kew Bridge and Brentford Market grew up around it before being relocated to its current position when the market closed in 1974.

Another site at risk due to neglect is Church of St Bartholomew on Stamford Hill, which is listed as a Grade II building. According to Historic England, the main problem of the building is the poor condition of the roof, which needs urgent attention to prevent further problems and decay. The building was designed by a major figure in the Arts and Crafts movement, W D Caröe and it was completed in 1904.

A Grade II-listed site Gaumont Palace Cinema on Wood Green, which opened in 1934 has also been categorised at risk, after a piece of the high-level cornice from the facade fell to the street below in 2018. It was discovered later that the steels supporting the high-level decorative details were extensively corroded. The front of the building currently remains under scaffolding for public safety as a repair solution is underway.

Over the last year, 21 historic places and sites in London that were included on the Heritage at Risk Register received repair funding totaling £1.47 million from Historic England. In addition, the former Walthamstow Granada/EMD Cinema on Hoe Street received a £500,000 grant from the Culture Recovery Fund, which according to Historic England, its restoration works are making good progress.

Historic landmarks saved

Although there are a number of sites that were recently added to the list over its poor condition, a total of 19 sites across Greater London have been saved thanks to heritage partners and dedicated teams of volunteers as well as charity and community groups along with the councils working together with Historic England.

One of the success stories is Grade I-listed building Boston Manor House in Hounslow which was built in 1623 and extended in 1670. The historic site is owned by the London Borough of Hounslow  which has led a major four-year restoration project to conserve the building and increase public access. The Manor House, which has fine interiors including 1623 decorative plaster ceilings and friezes, underwent roof renovation, fragile interiors restorations and improvements and now is set to reopen to visitors in early 2023.

The Heritage at Risk Register 2022 reveals that in London, there are 421 buildings or structures, 101 places of worship, 25 archaeology entries, 12 parks and gardens, and 72 conservation areas are at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate change. In total, there are 631 entries across London on the 2022 Heritage at Risk Register.

Across the rest of England, 233 entries have been removed from the Register for positive reasons, while 175 entries have been added due to concerns over their condition.

Some of London sites removed from the register

• Boston Manor House in Hounslow
• Hyde Vale Fountain in Greenwich
• South Lodge to Grim’s Dyke Hotel in Harrow

Some of London sites added to the register

• Brentford Fountain, near Western International Market, Hayes Road, Hounslow 
• Former Gaumont Palace Cinema (Dominion Centre), Wood Green Broadway 
• Church of St Bartholomew, Craven Park Road, Stamford Hill

Some of London sites where good progress has been made

• Crystal Palace Subway, Bromley (Grade II*)
• Former Granada/EMD Cinema, Walthamstow (Grade II* listed)
• Small Mansion, Gunnersbury Park (Grade II)

Full Heritage at Risk 2022 Register

To see the full list of buildings included on the Heritage at Risk register 2022 across England, visit the Historic England website. To search for buildings, places of worship, monuments, parks and gardens, conservation areas, battlefields and wreck sites that are listed and found to be at risk in your area, please visit the same website under its search function.