Bradford’s rich architectural heritage is defined by its historic buildings.

From the neo-Gothic grandeur of City Hall, to the Italian Renaissance style of Salts Mill and Manningham Mills, to the imposing 19th century warehouses of Little Germany.

Equally important is the way these architectural gems interact with their surroundings.

The preservation of these key landmarks, and that of the hundreds of lesser-known historic buildings and historic streets throughout the district, is vital. Yet it is not an easy task, made all the more difficult during an economic downturn.

Recently, four historic buildings in the area, including Manningham Mills, were identified by English Heritage as being at risk of falling into decay, and seven conservation areas, including Haworth, were highlighted as being under threat.

But while there are problems, in many locations, plans are in place, or work is proceeding, to improve, restore – and in some cases re-build – properties and street scenes.

Bradford Council’s design and conservation team focuses its attention on buildings and environments that are protected by statute, including listed buildings and conservation areas.

There are 5,800 listed buildings in the Bradford district and one of the team’s key aims is to develop a listed buildings strategy, which will cover public, local and privately-owned buildings.

“It will be a strategy on how to manage these with other partners, in terms of advice, good practice, maintenance and any common problems,” says acting team leader John Ackroyd.

When the economy was buoyant, a number of mills were sympathetically renovated and brought back into use, he adds.

One of which, Douglas Mill on Bowling Old Lane, is now the headquarters of NHS Bradford and Airedale, and another, former Shipley worsted mill, Victoria Mills, is now a luxury apartment complex.

There are proposals to bring the register of listed buildings and their condition up-to-date.

“We need to re-survey our listed buildings. It was last carried out seven years ago, and we want to do it every five years,” says John.

Listed buildings are also the focus of a sub-group of Bradford Property Forum, a network of property professionals. “They appreciate the contribution they make to the regeneration potential of the city, and sense of place,” says John. “They are buildings to which people have an affinity and the forum is keen that we undertake the survey.”

Students studying architecture could be recruited as volunteers to help with the task.

Among the success stories in historic property renovation is the Old Court House and York House in Manor Row, which had been derelict for a decade. The 19th-century buildings are being turned into apartments.

John is full of praise for the developers and contractors. “The scheme is fantastic, particularly in these difficult times. York House has been a building-at-risk for decades, and had no investment for many years.”

Darren Ingham, of Solo Construction, which is carrying out the work, says: “The buildings were extremely neglected – neither had roofs. We are retaining as many features as possible, such as cornicing and some parquet flooring.”

He adds: “There are a lot of neglected buildings within the district and it is so important that they are saved, where possible.”

At present, the Council team is working with English Heritage in Haworth – one of 59 conservation areas in the district – to put together an enhancement strategy. Says John: “We are applying for a small amount of funding to prepare displays and leaflets for a public consultation as to how the village could benefit from visual improvements.”

Small scale alterations over time, such as clutter from street furniture, can gradually erode a place’s character. “We want to show people what it could be like with a few changes that don’t have to cost a lot,” says John.

English Heritage’s at Risk Register last year revealed that one in 13 of England’s conservation areas is threatened by neglect, decline or inappropriate change. In Bradford, conservation areas are kept under review. “We make sure any impact upon them from neighbouring development is positive,” says John.

Bradford is one of a number of councils that hold conservation forums, allowing local people to have a say, decide what they value, and how they would like it protected.

“People can get in touch and ask questions, which hopefully we can answer,” says John.