Historic England unveils Dorset heritage sites at risk

The Heritage at Risk (HAR) programme helps to recognise the overall state of some of Dorset’s most historic sites.

The list below identifies sites that are seen as most at risk of being vulnerable as a result of neglect, decay, or incorrect development.

The Church of St John the Evangelist on Christchurch Road in Boscombe is a grade II listed place of worship.

The Church is described as ‘A big and quite rich late Victorian town church with well-detailed and contrasted materials and patterning, both outside and within, displaying masonry of a high order.’

Why does Historic England now see this as a risk?

This church has slowly decayed over time and therefore is described as being in ‘a poor state, with crumbling stone and falling masonry’, and funding is currently being sought to fix this building.

The former Naval Cordite Factory which used to make explosives for the Royal Navy in 1916 is also at risk.

Why does Historic England now see this as a risk?

Over time, the condition of the disused factory in Wareham has declined and there are major localised problems such as tree growth leaving the building in a generally unsatisfactory condition.

The Church of St Clements in Bournemouth also needs funds to restore the Grade I building to its original standing.

Why does Historic England now see this as a risk?

The historical Victorian church built in 1871 is showing signs of dampness and the tower roof needs immediate replacement after showing signs of leaking.

Light anti-aircraft battery on Holton Heath which significantly helped with bombing in World War Two has also succumbed to nature.

Why does Historic England now see this as a risk?

The defence site has suffered extensive significant problems and is on the verge of collapse.

The Church of St Stephen, a non-civil Parish Church located just a few steps away from Bournemouth town centre is also at risk.

Why does Historic England now see this as a risk?

This church has been the subject of heritage crime over the years. The building has also partially been ruined by water penetration and there have been collapses due to rusting iron fittings.

The Church of St Michael on Poole Road is a Grade II listed Victorian church with a very large tower built inside.

Why does Historic England now see this as a risk?

The tower has contracted several significant problems over recent years and is difficult for maintenance to be carried out due to its access.

Due to storms, interior wall paintings inside the church are vulnerable to developing dampness.

A decoy pond and overnight shelter in Wareham were created to lure animals to be trapped and killed for food and feathers.

The decoy is also one of only two monuments known to survive in Dorset.

Why does Historic England now see this as a risk?

Much like the former explosives factory, the decoy pond and overnight shelter has also declined and there are major localised problems such as tree and scrub growth leaving the monument in a generally unsatisfactory condition.

A ringwork, bailey, and a civil war battery located 400m southwest of Corfe Castle, popularly known as ‘The Rings’ were created in the late Anglo-Saxon era and acted as strongholds for military operations.

Why does Historic England now see this as a risk?

This national landmark has lost its value over time after becoming victim to animal burrowing.

A Valentine tank assemblage in Poole Bay was involved in exercise SMASH, a live rehearsal for D-Day in April 1944 during World War Two.

During the exercise, seven of the tanks sank in the bay and claimed the lives of six crewmen.

Why does Historic England now see this as a risk?

This historic event in the bay is a wreck off the coast of Poole, therefore the area is not visible.

Bindon Hill Camp in West Lulworth is a rural estate more commonly known as a ‘villa’ after being designed in the Roman era.

Why does Historic England now see this as a risk?

Being so close to the sea, this private area of land was judged as generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems, one being coastal erosion.

Matthew Mckeague, chief executive of the Architectural Heritage Fund, said: “We have worked with hundreds of community-led schemes to rescue and reuse historic buildings, including many on the at-risk register.

“These projects might be about bringing a redundant lido back into use or turning an old bank building into affordable housing or a former church into a new workspace – each is about saving a piece of vital local heritage and giving it a sustainable future use.”