HISTORIC England has recently published its annual Heritage at Risk Register for 2021.

The Register is the yearly health-check of England’s most valued historic places and those most at risk of being lost forever as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.

Over the last year, 130 historic buildings and sites have been added to the Register because of their deteriorating condition and some 233 sites have been saved and their futures secured.

Many have been rescued thanks to the hard work and dedication of local communities, who have come together to save places despite the challenges wrought by the pandemic over the past 18 months.

Altogether there are 4,985 sites on the Register in England, including a number on the Wirral.

Church of St James, Victoria Road, New Brighton

According to Historic England this Gothic Revival church built in 1854 by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott needs further stone restoration work to the window tracery before the church can be removed from the Register.

Church of St Peter and St Paul, Atherton Street, New Brighton

Described as a "significant local landmark located in a very exposed marine environment" cement repointing and failure of the roof membrane has led to significant ingress of water and damage to this church's interior. Several phases of roof repairs repairs have been undertaken, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. A further 'dome repair' phase is being planned and fundraising is underway.

Church of St Nicholas, Newport Avenue, Wallasey

This Gothic style church was built in 1910 from locally sourced rock-faced Storeton sandstone. Located close to the coast, the overarching problem with the building is the erosion of the soft sandstone by a combination of wind and rain. The inner brick core of the wall has been exposed in places, leading to problematic ingress of water.

Church of St Mary, Liscard

Another Victorian Gothic style church dating to 1877 and designed by local architect EW Nobbs. Historic England has identified issues with water leaking through the roof which has caused dry rot. "The latest outbreak is substantial and a re-roofing project is being planned whilst scaffolding supports the primary roof timbers", says the survey.

Church of St Paul, Church Crescent, Wallasey

A mid-19th century Gothic style church, extended in 1859 and 1891. Two phases of work have been recently completed to reinstate the spire top and to repair the west elevation and stair turret, but according to Historic England, several further phases of re-roofing works are needed to all the main roofs and the concealed valley gutter.

Flaybrick Cemetery, Bidston, Birkenhead

The condition of the cemetery is assessed as "very bad" by Historic England.

Hamilton Square, Birkenhead

This Georgian square, which was designed by Edinburgh architect James Gillespie Graham, has the most Grade I listed buildings outside of London, but Historic England assesses its condition as "very bad" and "deteriorating".

Roman Catholic Church of St Michael and All Angels, Woodchurch

A modern church constructed in 1965 by RIBA Gold Medal winning architect Richard O’Mahony. The 50 year old roof has now been partially replaced to alleviate the worst of the water ingress problems, with the support of a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant. A further phase of roof replacement is required.

Storeton Hall, Red Hill Road, Storeton, Bebington

Work to repair the roof of this 14th century building is in progress and following repointing and conversion of the interior, the building will be removed from the Register, say Historic England.

Thornton Manor, Bebington

Park and gardens designed by Thomas Hayton Mawson in collaboration with the industrialist and philanthropist William Hesketh Lever, later first Viscount Leverhulme. This privately owned property, which is used for exclusive events, has longstanding conservation and repair works required both in the house and grounds. Gardens around the house are maintained but the pergola is in an advanced state of decay and the lake and woodland are in poor condition. Numerous structures require conservation repairs throughout the landscape.