Buildings at Risk

Introduction

Each year, Norfolk County Council produces a register of Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments that are considered to be 'at risk'. North Norfolk District Council provides the County Council with details of Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments in the district that have fallen into disrepair and/or are vacant. The register categorises buildings according to their general condition, progress towards finding a solution and, where applicable, occupancy, in order to determine the risk category. This follows the English Heritage national criteria for Buildings at Risk. By drawing attention to these buildings and structures, it is hoped that the necessary resources and viable new uses can be found to bring them back into a good state of repair.

Local authorities, English Heritage, building preservation trusts and funding bodies play a part in securing the future of these outstanding and irreplaceable parts of our heritage.

One of the main reasons why buildings become 'at risk' is if they no longer have a viable use and are left empty for a long period of time. Empty properties are less likely to be maintained properly and more likely to develop dry rot and damp problems due to the lack of warmth and ventilation.

The importance of maintenance

Easily solved maintenance issues such as blocked drainpipes or missing tiles, if overlooked, can develop into major structural problems. Unfortunately, once this crisis point has been reached many owners find they do not have the funds readily available to finance adequate repairs.

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) has produced a guide to the maintenance of traditional buildings called 'A Stitch in Time'. This booklet sets out a simple step-by-step guide to checking your property annually. To view other SPAB publications available please visit their website: http://www.spab.org.uk/ or alternatively contact SPAB at: 37 Spital Square London E1 6DY (Tel: 020 73477 1644 or Fax: 020 7247 5296).

English Heritage Grants and Practical Advice

English Heritage also produce a national Buildings at Risk Register, which includes all Grade I, Grade II* Listed Buildings and Scheduled Ancient Monuments at Risk. As such, Grade I and II* Buildings at Risk may be eligible for a grant from English Heritage. For more information visit the English Heritage 'Research & Conservation - Heritage Protection' web page.

English Heritage also occasionally provides practical advice and resources to help owners and local authorities to secure the future of important buildings at risk. View the publications produced by English Heritage.

Buildings at Risk in North Norfolk

In 1996, as part of the commitment to reduce the number of buildings at risk within North Norfolk, North Norfolk District Council was instrumental in the establishment of the North Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust. Since that time the Trust has undertaken an extensive programme of repairs to Paston Great Barn, a scheduled ancient monument and Grade II* Listed Building, which together with other associated outbuildings were considered to be at risk. This complex is now leased to English Nature and has been removed from the register.

The North Norfolk Historic Buildings Trust is now considering a number of other projects drawn from the Buildings at Risk Register. For example:-

This 12-meter diameter dome was built in 1942/3 of concrete and metal mesh construction to contain a Link Trainer and projection equipment for training torpedo bomber pilots and possibly anti-aircraft gunners. Unused since 1946, it was in poor condition and vulnerable to vandalism at the time of a feasibility study but has since had some cosmetic repair work carried out by the owner. The study established the condition of the structure and its reinforcement, concrete and protective finish. By the installation of some lighting and projection equipment it will be restored so that its original purpose can be demonstrated to visitors.

In addition, having successfully completed a Conservation Area Partnership Scheme in Fakenham and a Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme in North Walsham, the Council is managing a Townscape Heritage Initiative in Cromer. This scheme, worth in excess of £1 million, has been part of the wider Cromer Regeneration Initiative and has seen improvements to a number of historic buildings in Cromer, including one from the Buildings at Risk Register, No. 2 Brook Street.

Total number of buildings at risk in North Norfolk	60
Ancient Monuments: (8 of which are also Listed)	8
Grade I Buildings:	2
Grade II* Buildings:	5
Grade II Buildings:	45

These buildings are broken down into the following categories:-

Ruined/redundant churches/ecclesiastical monuments:	16
Agricultural buildings:	9
Domestic buildings and associated:	22
Industrial buildings:	5
Mills:	6
Secular monuments/bridges:	2

For information regarding the Norfolk Historic Buildings at Risk Register please contact: Caroline Davison, Building Conservation, Planning and Transportation Department, Norfolk County Council, County Hall, Norwich NR1 2SG (Tel: 01603 222706)

A downloadable list of Buildings at Risk in Norfolk is available from the Norfolk County Council website.

For more information on the Buildings at Risk in North Norfolk please contact North Norfolk District Council's Conservation and Design Section: Tel: (01263) 516131/516138/516165 or Fax: (01263) 514802 or email: conservationanddesign@north-norfolk.gov.uk