For anyone interested in architectural conservation the annual SAVE Britain’s Heritage ‘Buildings at Risk Register‘ will always trigger ‘what if’ moments as you contemplate possibly taking on a forlorn building which catches your eye. Yet the Register should also inspire some concern and disappointment that once again so many wonderful buildings are at risk in the first place.
The 2010 report, entitled ‘Live or Let Die‘, again provides a fascinating snapshot of a broad collection of buildings which we are now at risk of losing. Some are merely unused and crying out for sympathetic conversion, others are more extreme and would require great quantities of time and money – but they would deliver the most incredible homes or workplaces once finished. And remember, estate agents almost always value good quality, well-restored period properties higher than a similar but modern property in the same area.
The report features over a hundred properties from the large country houses such as St Botolph’s mansion, in Herbrandston, which was built in the early 1800s, but is now empty and deteriorating. Other substantial houses include the house featured on the cover; Northwold Manor in Northwold, Norfolk. However, it’s not just houses, but mills, schools, libraries, town halls and many more.
SAVE Britain’s Heritage has been successfully campaigning for historic buildings since its formation in 1975 by a group of architects, journalists and planners. It is a strong, independent voice in conservation, free to respond rapidly to emergencies and to speak out loud for the historic built environment. It has published a Buildings at Risk Register for England and Wales since 1989 and has had many successes and is responsible for saving many buildings we love today. Even if you can’t take on a property, if you wish to support their work, please consider becoming a Friend of SAVE and you will not only receive discounts on publications, but newsletters and access to the online version of the Register featuring over a thousand properties in need of care.
Order your copy today: ‘Live or Let Die – 2010 Buildings at Risk Register‘ [SAVE Britain’s Heritage]
The Country Seat 
How do i get sent a copy of live or let die? we aRE LOOKING AT PURCHASING A PROPERTY AT RISK.
Hi Matt
Please complete the order form on the SAVE Britain’s Heritage website:
http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/buildings_at_risk/catalogue.php?id=133
Better yet, join SAVE and you’ll have access to their much larger online database of properties:
http://www.savebritainsheritage.org/support/become_a_friend.php
I’d also strongly recommend contacting the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings for their leaflet ‘Look Before You Leap’ (http://www.spab.org.uk/publications/look-before-you-leap/) which gives more detail on what’s involved with owning and restoring a listed property.
All the best
Matt