Bassetlaw has a rich tapestry of built heritage, spread across the district, covering a vast range of types of buildings and structures, both large and small in scale, many of which are designated. These sites are often in prominent locations and help to establish or reinforce a settlement’s sense of place.
The majority of the District’s built heritage is in good condition, being occupied and well maintained. However, in some cases, these ‘heritage assets’ can fall into disuse or disrepair, for a variety of reasons, such as lack of maintenance, redundancy, economic decline, unwillingness of owners or catastrophic events. In these circumstances, the buildings and structures are identified as being ‘at risk’. Heritage ‘at risk’ can impact on local communities and the environment in which we live – not only are there the visual signs of neglect, but there can also be social, economic and public safety concerns too.
How are buildings and sites identified as being ‘at risk’?
Heritage ‘at risk’ within the district is monitored by Bassetlaw District Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Historic England. Historic England monitor Scheduled Monuments, Grade I and Grade II* Listed Buildings, grade II listed places of worship and Conservation Areas at risk, while Bassetlaw District Council monitor these and also all other Grade II Listed Buildings.
Heritage assets ‘at risk’ are assessed in accordance with nationally set criteria produced by Historic England. This ensures continuity between the national and local registers. When assessing a heritage asset, consideration is given to the level of risk to the structure, looking at its external appearance, occupancy and vulnerability. The categories range from A (in very poor condition) to F (repairs in progress). The risk scale is as follows:
- Category A: Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric; no solution agreed.
- Category B: Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric; solution agreed, not yet implemented.
- Category C: Slow decay; no solution agreed.
- Category D: Slow decay; solution agreed but not yet implemented.
- Category E: Under repair or in fair to good repair, but no user identified; or under threat of vacancy with no obvious new user (applicable only to buildings capable of beneficial use).
- Category F: Repair scheme in progress and (where applicable) end use or user identified; functionally redundant buildings with new use agreed but not yet implemented.
Grade I and II* Listed Buildings, grade II places of worship, Scheduled Ancient Monuments, Registered Park & Gardens and Conservation Areas are monitored annually by Historic England. Those buildings/sites that are considered to be ‘at risk’ are entered onto a National Heritage at Risk Register, updated each year.
In July 2020, the Bassetlaw Heritage at Risk Strategy and Register was adopted. The strategy sets out the Council’s approach to tackling heritage ‘at risk’ across the District. The accompanying register provides an update on buildings/sites previously included on the 2012 register, and includes several entries added since that time. Those removed from the register are also highlighted.
- Bassetlaw Heritage at Risk Strategy and Update to Register - November 2022 (HTML)
Later in 2020, a full district-wide survey will be carried out focusing on each of the 1073 Listed Buildings, with the help of local volunteers, the results of which will be published in late-2020/early-2021 in a new heritage at risk register.
Last Updated on Wednesday, January 3, 2024