Historic site in Milton Keynes receives funding for development and repair work

Historic England (HE) has revealed the historic sites most at risk of being lost forever as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development by publishing the Heritage at Risk Register 2020.

The register provides an annual snapshot of the critical health of England’s most valued historic places, and those most at risk of being lost.

However, 'good progress' has been made at Bradwell Abbey, in Milton Keynes, according to HE.

A HE spokesperson said: "The former chapel to Bradwell Abbey has 14th century origins. Since 1992 it has been the home of the Milton Keynes City Discovery Centre. HE has awarded grants for project development and repair work to the building. In 2019, a stone carving of a head, believed to depict Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, was uncovered during conservation work."

Most recently, the centre was awarded a Covid-19 Resilience Activities grant by HE to create new digital and online activities, including free craft activities, hidden within Horrible Histories-style YouTube videos.

A Historic England spokesperson said: "Over the last year 20 historic buildings and sites in the south east have been saved thanks to the determination of local communities, charities, owners, local councils and HE, who together want to see historic places restored and brought back to life.

"This year has been challenging, but looking after and investing in the historic places that help to define our collective identity is key to the country’s economic recovery."

The spokesperson said the buildings and places rescued from the Heritage at Risk Register can help 'level-up economic opportunity, support skilled local construction jobs, build resilience in private and public organisations and boost tourism'.

The spokesperson said: "Our historic places have also provided an anchor for local communities during these uncertain times. Heritage has a proven positive impact on people’s quality of life and 80% of residents believe local heritage makes their area a better place to live.

"It can also help support community resilience, instil pride and build confidence that communities can ‘build back better’."

Emily Gee, from HE, said: “It is the varied tapestry of our historic places that helps us define who we are. In testing times, heritage can give us a sense of continuity and bring us solace. We also know that investing in our historic places can help boost our economic recovery.

"Across the south east, the places rescued from the register this year show us that good progress is being made, but there is still a long way to go and many more historic buildings and places which need love, funding, strong partnership working and community support to give them a brighter future.”

Across England 181 entries have been removed from the Register (for positive reasons), while 216 entries have been added because of concerns about their condition.

Over the past year, HE has spent £8.96m in grants on helping some of the country’s best loved and most important historic sites on the Heritage at Risk Register.