Weighbridge at Eastney Sewage Pumping Station and Gosport's Holy Trinity Church on 'Heritage At Risk' list
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Both are at “immediate risk of further rapid deterioration”
Two heritage sites in the Portsmouth area have been listed as being “at risk” of falling into ruin.
The Weighbridge at Eastney sewage pumping station near Henderson Road and Holy Trinity Church in Gosport have earmarked as concerns by Historic England. Both landmarks have been placed on the latest Heritage At Risk register, which compiles historic areas and structures which are decaying at an alarming rate.
The sewage pumping station weighbridge, part of a scheduled monument, was described by Historic England as being in “very bad” condition. It’s considered to be in a declining state and being at “immediate risk of further rapid deterioration”.
Church of the Holy Trinity was described in a similar state. A total of 35 locations covering the local authority of Portsmouth, Gosport, Havant and Fareham are on the list. There are 455 entries across the south east of England, and 64 in Hampshire.
These cover all listed buildings, scheduled monuments, conservation areas, registered parks and gardens and other categories. Various military sites are deemed at risk. At Portsmouth Naval base alone, there is the Iron and Brass Foundry, The Parade building, and the former Royal Naval Academy.
This is alongside several of the Palmerston forts, built in the late 1800s by Lord Palmerston to fend off a perceived French invasion. The yearly register is used to snapshot which sites need further attention, with grant money being allocated to restore and renovate them.
Volunteers at Wymering Manor, Cosham, secured £180,000 for urgent repairs in an effort to conserve the site. Some military sites, including Fort Gilkicker - currently being redeveloped for housing - are being given a new lease of life, but others are falling further into disrepair. No Portsmouth area locations have been removed from the register this year.
Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, Co-CEOs of Historic England, said: “Our historic buildings and places help tell the story of where we live and contribute to the character and identity of local communities. Each year, the Heritage at Risk Register showcases the positive impact that restoring and reusing these special places can have.
“The most effective way to protect our buildings is to bring them back into use as places that create connection and enjoyment for local people. The sites saved and removed from the Register this year show what can be achieved when partners and communities work together to deliver positive, lasting change. By working together, we can protect our heritage for generations to come.”
According to Historic England, Eastney Sewage Pumping Station was used from 1868 onwards as part of a major drainage scheme. It was constructed following an 1848 report by Robert Rawlinson after a cholera epidemic spread through the vicinity. The site hosts a succession of engine houses, with the 1887 house being a museum and one of the most complete examples in the country, with James Watt beam engines.
Holy Trinity church is Grade II* listed and has been a place of worship since the late 17th century. Originally deemed as a Chapel of Ease to a nearby church in Alverstoke, it was later elevated to a parish church.
Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said: "Every part of the UK is bursting with history, so it is vital we protect the heritage sites at the heart of communities which help tell the stories of our nation. That’s why our £1.5bnArts Everywhere Fund is so important, supporting efforts to save more than 1,000 arts venues, museums, libraries, and heritage buildings across England.
“The Heritage at Risk Register plays a crucial role in identifying these historic places that need our support. This year’s Register is an important reminder of the pressures facing our historic environment, from ageing buildings and structural deterioration to the impacts of extreme weather. I want us to build on our progress to ensure our heritage is protected for generations to come.”