English Heritage launches campaign to save at risk conservation areas – including five in Kirklees

Jun 23 2009 By Katie Campling

English Heritage launches campaign to save at risk conservation areas – including five in Kirklees.

Conservation areas in Elland, Birkby, Edgerton, Holmfirth and Dewsbury are all on the 2009 Heritage At Risk register, launched by English Heritage today.(June 23)

Areas on the list are deemed to be at risk of neglect or damaging change to their unique character, having deteriorated over the past three years.

Holmfirth town centre has been classed as one of the worst-affected conservation areas in West Yorkshire because of vacant and derelict properties, such as the former premises of postcard and cinema producers Bamforth and Co.

Five historic buildings and four ancient monuments in Kirklees are also listed as being at risk.

These include Grade II listed buildings 18 to 20 St George’s Square, Westwood Mills at Linthwaite and buildings on the Kirklees Park estate at Brighouse.

English Heritage wants to get residents, community groups and councils working together to improve the identified areas.

The register was compiled after English Heritage asked all local authorities to complete a questionnaire about their conservation areas.