The pieces of city history on
A new report by heritage group Historic England has identified 16 buildings, objects or conservation areas which are thought to be ‘at risk’. Hannah Richardson goes through them - and finds out what Leicester City Council is doing about each
SIXTEEN buildings or sites of historic importance in Leicester are at risk, according to a heritage watchdog. Historic England releases a list every year of features which are, or are thought to be be, in danger of serious, potentially irreversible decline.
This could be because they have already fallen into disrepair or are thought to be likely to do so imminently due to neglect.
There are 12 of the city’s historic structures and four conservation areas on the most recent register.
However, Leicester City Council has said it has a plan of action to make sure each of them is protected.
The council has already undertaken work on some of these, meaning it is likely they will not be on the register when it is next updated.
Deputy city mayor Adam Clarke said the authority was aware of the condition of each of the sites highlighted by the watchdog.
He said: “We take our responsibility for protecting the city’s historic buildings very seriously.
“We will continue to work closely with Historic England to protect, retain and enhance the city’s architectural heritage for future generations.
“We have action plans in place for all of the buildings currently on the heritage at risk register, but this is a major challenge for the city.”
This list shows how Historic England assesses the condition of the city sites. The descriptions include ratings which reflect the degree of concern, from A – the most serious – to F. The condition of the building or structure is rated as very bad, poor, fair or optimal.
1 CHURCH OF ST MARY DE CASTRO
Castle Yard, Leicester
Meaning St Mary of the Castle, this church once served Leicester Castle.
King Henry VI was knighted there at the age of four, as was Richard, Duke of York, father to King Richard III.
It is thought likely that Richard III would have worshipped at the church when visiting Leicester Castle, perhaps even before setting off to the Battle of Bosworth.
Now the church is in “poor” condition, according to Historic England.
A National Lottery Heritage Fund grant was awarded in 2011 for a detailed assessment of the spire.
It was found it needed urgently dismantling, work which was completed in 2014. It remains missing.
The city council said that various works have been taken place inside and outside the church, including new toilets being added in 2021.
Further repairs to the building are being planned by the Church, the next phase of which could include repairs to the south porch and the Eastern gables.
Condition: Poor. Priority: D - Slow decay; solution agreed but not yet implemented. Previous Priority: D
2 ST MARGARET’S CHURCH St Margaret’s Way
While the current building dates back to the 13th Century, with a tower and extension added in the 15th, it is though to stand on the spot of the oldest place of Christian worship in the city.
It is the third church to have been built in this space, with the first dating back to around AD 679.
Today, it is in “very bad” condition. However, it’s priority rating has changed from A to F as work is now under way to repair it.
Grants have been received by both the city council and Historic England for the work, which include a wide range of repairs to the tower, clock and porch. Further work to the roof is required, as well as some internal work.
Leicester City Council has said a potential project is being discussed with the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Condition: Very bad. Priority: F Repair scheme in progress and (where applicable) end use or user identified; or functionally redundant buildings with new use agreed but not yet implemented. Previous Priority: A
3 CHURCH OF ST PETER St Peter’s Road
The church was built as a memorial to the First Earl of Howe, Richard Curzon-Howe, with the foundation stone laid on November 14, 1872 by the Bishop of Peterborough. It is now in the highest priority band for repairs.
Heritage England said by 2014, the tower and roof were in poor condition and scaffolding had to be erected over the west door to protect visitors from falling fragments.
Some repairs have been carried out to the tower, but repairs to the baptistery and south porch roof were unable to be completed.
Repairs are also required to several other roofs.
The city council has said projects are ongoing to bring the church back into a good condition.
Condition: Very bad. Priority: A Immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric; no solution agreed. Previous Priority: A
4 COUNTY COURT
Including remains of Leicester Castle John O’Gaunts cellar, Castle Yard
Leicester castle was built in around 1168, but was damaged in the siege of the city during the Civil War in the 17th century.
The old cellar survives, while the only other remaining structure – the former county court – has been built since the Civil War.
The medieval cellar is at risk of water damage and in urgent need of repair, according to Heritage England. Leicester City Council has said the site is being protected and regularly monitored, while a solution to restoring it to use is being worked on with De Montfort University. Condition: Poor. Priority: C - Slow decay; no solution agreed. Previous Priority: C
5 MAGAZINE GATEWAY
The Newarke
This is the Eastern Gate of The Newarke, a fortified religious college built some time around the year 1410.
It was last used as a regimental museum but vacant since 1999.
Following major restoration works in 2020/21, the condition of the structure is now good.
However, it has not yet been brought back into use. The city council has said work is ongoing to find a purpose for it.
Condition: Fair. Priority: 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). Previous Priority: C
6 SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF ST GEORGE
Rutland Street
Built in 1823, the church was taken over by a small but devout Serbian Orthodox congregation which has made the church its home since the mid-1980s.
The building is in fair condition and Leicester City Council hopes it can soon be removed from the register.
It was on the register due to a risk of water damage, caused by the trees surrounding it. The council has said some work to these trees has now taken place.
Condition: Fair. Priority: C - Slow decay; no solution agreed. Previous Priority: C
7 ABBEY RUINS, PRECINCT WALLS, AND REMAINS OF CAVENDISH HOUSE
Abbey Park
The abbey ruins, precinct walls, and remains of Cavendish House in Abbey Park, Leicester, are all considered at risk.
The foundations date back to the 12th century when an Augustinian monastery was built before being pulled down in the reign of Henry VIII.
Cavendish House was built nearby in the 17th century but is itself a ruin now.
While the condition of the site is considered to be ‘very bad,’ a twoyear programme of work is under way to repair the walls and structures.
The council has said the majority of the works are complete, such as the works to Cavendish House, and the risk status of the site will soon be revised to reflect the improved condition.
Condition: Very bad. Priority: F Repair scheme in progress and (where applicable) end use or user
identified; or functionally redundant buildings with new use agreed but not yet implemented. Previous Priority: B
8 IRON GATES IN GARDEN
Rear of Skeffington House, the Newarke
The Grade II* Listed Georgian gates were restored recently after Leicester City Council received grant funding from Historic England.
Parts of the existing metalwork were repaired, missing sections reinstated and poor-quality replicas of decorative details carefully swapped out for specially cast and historically accurate replacements.
Eventually, it is hoped the gates, which were donated to Leicester Royal Infirmary in 1768, will be returned to the hospital as part of a new garden.
The council said: “The gates are no longer considered to be ‘at risk’ and should be removed from the annual update from Historic England.”
Condition: Poor. Priority: C - Slow decay; no solution agreed. Previous Priority: C
9 HSBC BANK
31 Granby Street
Once a HSBC bank, it was built in 1872-74 by Joseph Goddard in the French Gothic Revival style with an elaborate timber roof and stained glass.
The building is now in use as a place of worship.
An extensive restoration project is under way as part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone.
The stained glass windows have been repaired and the upper floors converted.
However, the roof continues to deteriorate and is in need of repair, according to Heritage England. Condition: Poor. Priority: C - Slow decay; no solution agreed. Previous Priority: C
10 NEWARKE WALL
(Along north west end of Gardens of Newarke Houses Museum), The Newarke
This 15th century wall formed the boundary of St Mary-de-Castro and The Newarke.
According to Heritage England, it has suffered slow decay over many years, including significant weathering of the material and decoration.
Deterioration has been exacerbated by past inappropriate repairs including cement based pointing mortars.
However, the city council has said it is structurally sound and there are long-term plans for replacing the mortars, removing plants from the wall and localised repairs.
Condition: Poor. Priority: C - Slow decay; no solution agreed. Previous Priority: C
11 PARISH CHURCH OF ST PETER Church Road, Belgrave
The church has been shut since 2010 and has only been used a few times since then for events.
It was vandalised in 2011 and is currently on the market.
Heritage England has said the building and churchyard are in fair condition.
However, it is deteriorating and requires repairs.
Condition: Fair. Priority: 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). Previous Priority: E
12 ST SAVIOUR’S CHURCH St Saviour’s Road
A former church built between 1875 and 1877, this site is currently not in use.
However, a new owner has taken over the site and started the necessary works to bring it back into use as a place of worship.
Heritage England has said significant repairs are required to the spire, roof and guttering. Leicester City Council has issued a grant to help fund the repairs to the roof. Condition: Poor. Priority: D - Slow decay; solution agreed but not yet implemented. Previous Priority: D
Of the four conservation areas listed on the at risk register, two – All Saints Conservation Area and Church Gate – are considered to be in “very bad” condition.
The council has said it is undertaking extensive regeneration of All Saints, and Historic England agrees the area, which has two listed buildings, is improving.
However, Historic England says the Church Gate area, which is home to six listed buildings, is deteriorating.
The council is working on various schemes in the area, funded by the High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme.
The other two areas – Greyfriars and the Market Place – are both in “poor” condition, but are “improving significantly”.
The city council expects Greyfriars, home to 44 listed buildings, to be removed from the list when it is next assessed.
The council said work is ongoing in the Market Place, adding “various buildings projects, such as recent restoration of the Odeon Arcade frontage, have enhanced the Conservation Area significantly”. There are 30 listed buildings in this area.