Heritage at Risk 2019 - Smith Greenfield

This October, Historic England has revealed the historic sites most at risk of being lost forever as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development in its annual Heritage at Risk Register.

The 2019 Register gives an annual snapshot of the critical condition of some of the country’s most important historic buildings, sites, monuments and places.

Across the region, 310 sites have been removed from the Register because their future has been secured, while 247 sites have been added to the Register because of concerns about their condition.

Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, commented:

“The message is clear – our heritage needs to be saved and investing in heritage pays. It helps to transform the places where we live and work, and which we visit, creating successful and distinctive places for us and for future generations to enjoy. But there’s more work to do. There are buildings still on the Heritage at Risk Register that can be rescued and can be brought back to beneficial use and generate an income, contributing to the local community and economy.

Historic England’s experience shows that with the right partners, imaginative thinking and robust business planning, we can be confident in finding creative solutions for these complex sites.”

Smith Greenfield is experienced in working with charities and organisations who have received funding to rescue and restore heritage properties. Insuring these buildings and associated restoration works is complex and involves a comprehensive understanding of the specific risks associated with each stage of a project.

Steve Smith, Smith Greenfield Managing Director says; “Many insurers are reluctant to provide cover for Listed or Heritage properties. Arranging appropriate insurance against loss or damage arising from repair and restoration work is a specialist area, requiring expertise in a niche market. We work closely with clients to develop a bespoke policy, ensuring the right level of cover to mitigate the exposure of the organisation to any problems that may occur during a project.”