Heritage in danger as change erodes tradition

The Pennine village's conservation area has this year been added to English Heritage's register of treasures that are at risk because of fears its historic cobbles and buildings are being eroded by cumulative minor changes and a lack of investment.

In Yorkshire and the Humber region over 28 per cent of scheduled ancient monuments are under threat of damage and decay along with 98 Grade I and II* buildings, over 10 per cent of historic parks and over 10 per cent of conservation areas.

Trevor Mitchell, English Heritage regional director, said: "The economic downturn has added to the challenges of finding long term solutions for the buildings on the register."

Many of the shops and houses in Haworth – which is a magnet for tourists – are losing their traditional features and details and as a result the character and appearance of the village is at risk, according to English Heritage.

It says it has advised Bradford Council, which has developed a strategy for repairing its stone setts and has found the cash to carry out the work.

Mr Mitchell added: "Haworth is a great place, visited by thousands every year, but it is slowly changing, for the worse, so that the Bronts might not recognise it if they returned today.

"While many of the buildings and streets survive, changes to windows, signage and street clutter are gradually eroding the village's character.

"Haworth should be the best-kept and best-presented conservation area in the region and we are keen to help to reverse the decline."

These are some of the key findings in the 2010 Heritage at Risk report published yesterday by English Heritage.

However, it is not all bad news for the region, the report contains some notable successes.

Medieval Whitby Abbey Brewhouse has been saved by an enterprising man who has incorporated the crumbling ruins into a luxury dwelling, while Huddersfield's Folly Hall Mills, built in 1844, is no longer at risk thanks to a multi-million pound conversion to high grade office space.

In Yorkshire and the Humber the study found:

n Of the 98 Grade I and II* buildings at risk four are new entries added since last year. They include a Grade I Tuscan Temple on the Duncombe Park Estate, Helmsley and Moat Hall Ruins, Braithwell, Doncaster.

n Seven buildings have been removed from the register after repair: Whitby Brewhouse, Whitby; Folly Hall Mill, Huddersfield; Providence Smelt Mill, Harrogate; Bolton Percy Gatehouse, Selby; Coverham Abbey Ruins, Yorkshire Dales; Rotunda Temple, Wentworth Castle, Barnsley; and Manor Lodge Turret House and Ruins, Sheffield.

n The East Riding has the greatest proportion of scheduled monuments at risk – 54 per cent.

n Four battlefields are at high risk: Towton, North Yorkshire; Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire; Adwalton Moor, Bradford, West Yorkshire; and Stamford Bridge, East Yorkshire.

Last year English Heritage began adding Conservation Areas at Risk to the regional register.

Mr Mitchell estimates around 60 per cent of the treasures on its register are suitable for re-use.

He added: " Of course, this year's register includes many other types of heritage treasures facing uncertain futures.

"So we must be careful to prioritise our action, with particular concern for the region's great industrial buildings, such as textile mills and metal trades buildings, together with ancient monuments in the East Riding and the industrial archaeology of the Yorkshire Dales.

"Some truly inspiring work is already being done and to a large extent the size of the Heritage at Risk register reflects the astonishing richness of the region's historic environment.

But it's an asset we must work hard to protect or lose forever."