Race to save historic buildings
THERE are real concerns that some of Cornwall’s beloved heritage could crumble into dust if nothing is done to save and preserve old buildings.
The three-year Buildings at Risk project has highlighted historic properties at risk of disappearing forever.
Started in September 2020, the project is led by the Cornish Buildings Group with support from Historic England and the Cornwall Heritage Trust.
Funding supports a case officer, whose role is to help identify and monitor buildings at risk and seek solutions, whether or not they are listed. Among the 50 or so at risk, the Cornish Buildings Group has highlighted a handful that remain in a poor state.
The Grade II listed Carpenter’s Shop in St Day has its roof held together with battens, and boards cover some of the windows. It is subject to one of the group’s applications to Cornwall Council to help save it.
The unassuming mid-19th century building is in both a conservation area and a World Heritage Site and has major structural problems. The parish council and local history group have petitioned the owner to ensure the building is maintained, but it continues to decline.
The Cornish Buildings Group said: “It is not an architectural masterpiece but it is an important heritage asset that contributes to the character and history of the village.”
Also in St Day, the group has concerns for the Old Post Office, which it said was in a declining condition. Opened in 1830, 10 years before the introduction of the Penny Post, it remained in service until 1969. It also housed the first manual telephone exchange for the area.
The group said: “This historic building, although watertight, is proving a concern to locals. It would appear that the timbers in the handsome facade and the window glazing bars are beginning to fail. Sadly, the liberal application of filler has not helped. This is one to watch.”
Tredethy Walled Garden, in Helland Bridge, near Bodmin, is also on the concerned list. There is an application to demolish, reconstruct and realign parts of the historic wall structure within the curtilage of a listed building.
The Buildings Group has put forward a listing application to recognise the wall structure in its own right, and said: “We are concerned that parts of this historic structure will be lost due to the development plans.”
A spokesman for the group added: “Any loss would be a great shame as inserted in the wall are medieval building stones which, evidence suggests, were once part of the nationally important Bodmin Priory.”
However the group highlighted a few good news stories on historic buildings, including the former Ice Works in Newlyn.
Newlyn FISH Trust has commissioned
consultants to carry out a project viability appraisal, using an Architectural Heritage Fund grant. The aim is to assess its suitability as a venue for telling the story of Newlyn.
A spokesman for the Newlyn FISH Trust said: “It will help us understand what options there are for restoring, adapting and using the former ice works in the light of our ambition for it be the location for Newlyn FISH Centre and which option is most likely to provide a long-term sustainable future for the building.
“The PVA Report will bring together these findings and help the trust take an informed decision about whether we should commit to further cost, risk and effort in developing the project.”
Old Brewery Yard, in Lower Treluswell, Penryn, has been in sad decline for several years. The main issues include the loss of part of the roof structure and poor condition of
the floors. The kiln drying floor and the kiln furnace room have survived.
The group said: “This building was very clearly in need of a new use and residential was proposed. It should be stressed there were good features in this conversion, with the retention of internal wooden shutters and in some instances the wooden diamond mullions to the windows.”
The group also highlighted the Prince of Wales Inn, in Newton-St Martin, on the Lizard Peninsula. The building, which has been closed for two years, has reportedly been awarded £240,000 from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. This, alongside the £120,000 raised by the local community, should help bring the 17th century pub back into use.
Meanwhile, Bicton Manor, which has been derelict for years, has sold for £500,000, having gone on the market for the first time in 60 years. It means it could get a new lease of life from its owner.