MORE than two dozen Listed buildings and Conservation Areas in the Bradford district are under threat of being lost forever.
There are 28 Grade II listed buildings, conservation areas, and historical monuments in the district which Historic England deem as ‘at-risk’, falling into disrepair or under threat from being lost.
Bradford Civic Society said heritage gives an area "unique character" and "while Bradford does a good job at preserving old buildings, more can always be done".
Included on the list are 11 Conservation Areas, along with seven places of worship, a handful of mills and parks and other natural features.
Many of the sites on the list are notable points of Bradford’s history, with significant value to the district through culture, history and tourism.
Aspley Crescent, Devonshire Park and Cliffe Castle, Goitside, Great Horton, Heaton Estates, Idle and The Green, Little Horton Lane, North Park Road, Southfield Square, St Paul, and Thornton Conservation Areas are all included on the ‘at-risk’ list.
Goitside, Great Horton, Idle and The Green, North Park Road, St Paul, and Thornton Conservation areas are all said to be in “very bad” condition, while the rest are in “poor” condition.
Bradford Civic Society's Si Cunningham said: "Heritage buildings give a place unique character and it's important to protect and restore as many sites as possible.
"In Bradford we have a higher concentrations of conservation areas and listed buildings than anywhere else in the UK and most are protected, but we can always be doing more.
"Conservation areas are a real balancing act between historic areas that need protection and modern life; Bradford, like everywhere, has changed a lot since the Victorian era.
"Saltaire is a really good example of that balance but it's expensive and might not be as feasible all over the city.
"I have big concerns for Goitside - especially with the fire there on Monday - and Little Germany in particular, changes to planning legislation could put it at considerable risk."
The historic Twelve Apostles stone circle in Burley Moor features on the list, and its condition is described as “generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems”, with “extensive visitor erosion” and the state of the site in decline.
Nearby Cairn west of Craven Hall Hill is listed in the same condition, with plant growth cited as the biggest issue facing it.
The other historic monument included is Catstones Ring in Cullingworth, a pre-historic enclosed settlement, which is also in a “generally unsatisfactory condition with major localised problems”, with overgrowing bracken the biggest problem.
Mr Cunningham added: "I'm surprised to see these on the list, we have a very proactive rights of way officer in Bradford and I feel we are doing well compared to other local authorities.
"With the pandemic and people staying closer to home, they are well used sites and naturally you'll see disrepair from that."
Places of worship on the list include St John’s Church in Bowling, St Stephen’s Church in West Bowling, Bradford Synagogue (Reform) in Manningham, St Saviour’s in Fairweather Green, St Paul and St Jude’s in Manningham, St Paul’s in Shipley, and St James’ in Cross Roads.
St Paul and St Jude’s, despite repairs in 2016, is still in poor condition and slow decay, after failed funding applications for further works. St John’s in Bowling, St James’ and St Saviour’s are in a similar condition.
Bradford Synagogue (Reform) is in fair condition after dry rot repairs in 2015 and more work ongoing, as is St Stephen’s in West Bowling, although slow decay there is noted with repairs to the tower required.
St Paul’s in Shipley is also noted to be in fair condition, with further repairs to the chancel (around the altar) required.
Manningham Mill’s ancillary buildings, and Dalton Mills and Low Mills in Keighley are also listed as at-risk. Low Mills is in “very bad” condition, having stood in disrepair for some time, but discussions are underway for how it can be salvaged.
Dalton Mills is in poor condition but repairs are underway to restore it to its 19th Century glory, while at Manningham Mill, that is in fair condition with repair works due to take place.
The former Feversham Street First School off Leeds Road is in a poor condition with urgent roof repairs needed, while Leventhorpe Hall in Thornton Road is in poor condition but is due to be restored as part of a housing development.
Whinburn Park and Gardens in Keighley are overgrown with buildings in disrepair, and is overall in a unsatisfactory condition with urgent work needed, while the former High Royds Hospital’s park and gardens in Menston have “extensive significant problems” due to the number of housing developments on the site “significantly compromising the historic landscape”.
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