Heritage at Risk
Heritage at Risk is an annual survey compiled by Historic England of buildings, sites and areas whose value is under threat. It is a means of highlighting the general plight of England’s heritage and of prioritising local action to conserve the place for future generations. The threats can be neglect, environmental damage, crime and inappropriate development. Local authorities and other bodies, such as SAVE Britain's Heritage, also produce registers and lists of buildings and historic sites at risk.
This section details the powers available to public authorities to address heritage assets at risk, whether designated or not. The focus is on public authorities as it is they who are given the legal powers to intervene, but of course, it is the local community and charitable trusts that are the most frequent saviours.
In this section
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Introduction to the National Heritage at Risk Survey
Historic England publishes an annual survey that details those heritage assets known to be at risk.
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Urgent Works to Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas
An urgent works notice is a direct way of securing repairs urgently necessary for the preservation of a building.
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Compulsory Acquisition of Listed Buildings
Compulsory acquisitions by public authorities.
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Alternative Powers to Secure Conservation of Listed Buildings and Other Heritage Assets
A local planning authority has various powers it can use to ensure repairs are carried out.
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Transfer of Ownership by Agreement
The vast majority of heritage assets are in private ownership. Rarely, public control or charitable ownership may be advisable to conserve the asset.
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Assets of Community Value
Legislation giving local community groups the right to make a bid to buy a property that has a community use when it comes up for sale.
