Historic England has released its Heritage at Risk Register for 2023.
The register is a summary of the critical health of some of England’s most historic landmarks. Used as a part of the UK Government’s official statistics, the register highlights cultural assets which are at risk through neglect, decay or development which is inappropriate for the area according to Heritage England.
Grade one listed buildings and registered parks and gardens are covered by the register, in addition to scheduled monuments, historic battlefields, protected wreck sites and conservation areas which are considered to be at risk. Grade two listed buildings of religious significance are also included in the register which began in the mid 1980s.
There are 20 Birmingham buildings at risk of being lost this year. They can be found in the city centre and across out of town neighbourhoods and include a former libray, stately home and places of worship.
Charities, owners, local councils, and Historic England have also worked together to see historic places restored, re-used, and brought back to life. These are the 20 Birmingham buildings at risk of being lost in 2023, along with Historic England’s description of the buildings and repairs needed.
9. Public Baths, Moseley
The baths were opened in 1907 as an addition to the Free Library (1895) forming a group of public buildings. Threat of closure has been averted with the swimming group taking over the swimming operation until 2021. Following the repair of the Gala Pool roof, Historic England is currently providing a substantial grant towards the repair of the Boardroom Roof and Front facade in conjunction with Birmingham City Council and the World Monument Fund which will be completed in August 2022 | Google Street View
10. 100 Sampson Road, Sparkhill
Built in 1901 as the vicarage to St Agatha's Church in Sparkbrook and designed in an Arts and Crafts style by local Birmingham architect, W.H. Bidlake. Formerly converted to flats by a housing association, the building is now in private ownership but has been subject to heritage crime and is now suffering from dry rot and isolated structural issues. Localised repairs have been carried out but there is a longstanding lack of regular maintenance with missing tiles, decaying windows and other issues continuing | Google Street View
11. Holy Church of the New Testament, 220 Moseley Road, Highgate
The building was commissioned by Richard Cadbury, designed by Ewan and James Harper it was completed in 1897. It contained to the front (Moseley Road) the Friends Institute with a coffee room a reading room, 37 classrooms for adult education and Sunday school and a large lecture room for 400 people on the first floor. To the rear (Oughton Street) the building houses a large hall with 2000 worshippers' capacity with a gymnasium hall. | Google Street View
12. Edward Road Baptist Church, Edward Road, Birmingham
This is an example of the Birmingham Terracotta School's work which combines Romanesque and Perpendicular details. There is evidence of damp at high level, the roof needs attention, the gutters need cleaning and the joints to brick and terracotta blocks are badly eroded. | Google Street View