Why Produce a Tookit?
Local authorities are major owners of historic sites and buildings and own approximately 8.7% of heritage assets designated as being 'at risk' through neglect and decay in the UK. As such there is a clear need for local authorities to take action to rescue such buildings designated as being 'at risk' and an opportunity for local authorities to demonstrate exemplary asset management and disposal practices to bring about a transformation of the nation's heritage assets. The Table below sets out the extent of the problem across the UK detailing the number of buildings at risk in each of the Home Nations and the percentage that are owned by local authorities.
| Total number of listed building entries | Listed buildings at risk (BARs) | Percentage of listed buildings at risk | Percentage of listed buildings at risk owned by local authorities | |
| England | 373,892 | Estimated to be 8,600 (actual number on register is 1,365 Grade I & II*) |
Estimated to be 2.3% | 14.6% (refers to those BARs actually recorded on the register) |
| Wales | 29,903 | 2,849 | 9.5% | 7.5% |
| Scotland | 47,400 | Estimated to be 4,124 (actual number on register is 1,581) * | Estimated at 8.7% * | 7.1% (refers to those BARs actually on the register) |
| Northern Ireland | 8,500 | 437 | 5.1% | 4.1% |
| TOTAL | 459,695 | Estimated to be 15,990 Actual number of BARs on UK registers is 6,234 |
3.5% (based on estimated BAR figures for England and Scotland) |
8.7% (based on actual number of BARs on the registers) |
Research undertaken by English Heritage suggests that local authorities will continue to dispose of heritage buildings in significant numbers over the next few years and consequently practical guidance is needed in order to ensure local authorities have the capacity to dispose of these buildings sustainably. Limited access to heritage expertise when taking decisions on the future management and uses of heritage assets has likely contributed to some unsuccessful outcomes, with local government shortages identified in skilled historic environment staff and the existing workforce stretched.
The research paper available to download below explores the condition of buildings at risk throughout the UK and reviews current guidance and asset management practices. It identifies the need for further practical guidance to improve the sustainability of local authority asset management practices, which this toolkit provides.
Download the Sustainable Heritage research paper (PDF, 2.95MB)
Caveat
The figures given above are correct as of November 2009 and they are used as an indication of the level of the problem of Buildings at Risk across the United Kingdom. However, for the most up to date figures for Buildings at Risk, you should refer to the relevant national body.
For Scotland, the statistics provided for buildings at risk were across all categories of listing in Scotland (A, B, C(s)) and excluded unlisted buildings in conservation areas and significant unlisted buildings, regardless of classification of origin (residential use for example). Please note that the BAR Register in Scotland does not include any building that is designated a Scheduled Monument.
It should also be noted that listed building entries can be for multiple buildings, for example, a terrace, and can include all structures within the curtilage. The BAR Register for Scotland records buildings rather than entries and as such the results are reported as buildings at risk.
