Each year, Historic England publish a list of historic sites in England that are at risk of being lost through neglect, damage, decay or inappropriate development. The extensive list includes historic buildings, sites, monuments and places that are in a critical condition and in desperate need of attention. In the past year alone, Historic England have offered £8.5 million in grants to help save some of England’s most important historic sites but with 5,073 places at risk in 2019, this isn’t nearly enough to prevent us from losing some of our most loved buildings and sites . This year’s Heritage at Risk Register includes 1,462 buildings and structures, 913 places of worship, 2,089 archeological sites, 102 parks and gardens, 3 battlefields, 3 wreck sites and 501 conservation areas, all at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate change.
It’s no secret that Bradford in West Yorkshire is undergoing some positive changes right now. Attitudes towards the industrial city are changing and efforts are being made to renovate, improve and promote some of the fantastic places in and around the city. However, this year’s Heritage at Risk register very sadly includes 9 historic buildings in Bradford that are at risk of being lost forever. Here are listed buildings in Bradford that are in desperate need of some TLC…
Church of St John
Built in 1892 at the expense of the Bowling Iron Company, this church on Neville Road was built using a considerable amount of iron. The roof coverings and cast iron windows are now in poor condition so the building is listed as being at risk due to slow decay.
Church of St Paul and St Jude
Built by archtects Mallison and Healy in 1848, this is a large Grade II listed church in Manningham with a prominent spire and crossing tower. The roofs of the nave, south transept, choir vestry and aises are all in poor condition and in desperate need or repair. Applications have been made to the National Lottery Heritage Fund but they were all unsuccessful.
Church of St Paul
Designed in the Perpendicular style by John Oates of Halifax, this is a Commissioners’ Church of 1823 to 1825. The roofs, rainwater goods, masonry and glazing are all in need of repair. Work was done on the south slope of the nave in 2018 and on the north slope in 2018 after two successful applications for funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. However, repairs to the chancel are still required.
Bradford Reform Synagogue
This beautiful synagogue was built in 1881 by Francis and Thomas Healey. Repairs to the roofs and rainwater goods were carried out in 2015 following a grant from National Lotter Heritage Fund’s former Places of Worship scheme. The building has since been affected by an outbreak of dry rot. This has been treated but the building is being monitored as it’s likely to happen again.
Church of St Saviour
Yet another Bradford church on the Heritage at Risk register! This one on Ings Way was built in 1966 and the attached hall was built in 1971. Both parts were designed by George Pace and this church, with its asymmetric roof arrangement, is a complete and unaltered example of his work. Repairs to the roof were carried out in 2016 but further work is required to repair the windows.
Leventhorpe Hall
This Grade II listed late 17th Century house with 18th Century additions is at serious risk of decay and collapse. There are significant areas of movement to the main walls but repair is possible. The windows also need replacing. The hall has recently been acquired by a new owner who has secured planning permission and listed building consent to bring the building back into use.
Manningham Mill
Built in 1870, Manningham Mill is a former silk mill with boiler house, chimney and warehouse. Following residential and office conversions, the mill itself is no longer at risk, however, the ancillary structures are. An Historic England Repair Grant has been award but the building remains on the register as the work is not yet complete.
Feversham Street First School
A Gothic revival style school built of 1873, designed by Lockwood an Mawson. The school was commisioned by the Bradford School Board in response to the 1870 Elementary Education Act. This was the first mixed Higher Elementary Board School in England and eventually closed as a school in 1993. The condition of the school has since deteriorated and the roofs are in a terrible condition.
Church of St Stephen
This Victorian city church on Donisthorpe Street in the Trident parish of Bradford, has undergone numerous repairs following extensive water penetration and timber damage. Grant-aided repairs have been done to the north, east and south elevations and internal repairs are underway. However, repair work to the west elevation and the tower is still needed.
