Latest news with #HistoricEngland
BBC News
11 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Major repairs at Grade I listed hall in Colchester completed
Restoration work to make a Grade I listed hall safe for visitors again has been assessments in 2022 found serious concerns with the ceiling at Moot Hall, on the second floor of the town hall in Colchester.A £350,000 project to repair and preserve the ceiling had been a success and the public would be able to return to the hall from July, the city council leader David King said: "To see it restored with such care is inspiring. It has taken thousands of hours of craftsmanship, and the result is something our city can be proud of." "My thanks go to the skilled and dedicated team who brought this beautiful space back to life. Thanks to their efforts, the Moot Hall will once again serve as a civic, cultural, and community landmark," he Hall is renowned for its high ceiling, stained glass windows, and custom-built Norman and Beard Town Hall was built in 1898 by architect John Belcher but surveys carried out in 2022 uncovered critical issues in the plaster's support system, evidence of water damage and condensation, structural weaknesses, debris build-up, and added loads from of the hall had taken almost 9,500 hours of skilled craftsmanship over a six-month period, the council began following a formal application to Historic England, along with comprehensive bat and owl surveys to safeguard protected species. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
City centre church added to at Worcester's at risk list
A city centre church is a new entry on a list of buildings and monuments and battlefields at risk through neglect or decay. All Saints Church in Deansway, Worcester, was added because its stonework and windows are in poor repair and there are issues with its electrics, the register said. Worcester City Council has unveiled its 2025 Heritage at Risk Register, which will go before its planning committee on Thursday. Parts of the medieval city walls are included, while the condition of number of Grade II listed buildings was also highlighted. A Grade II listed pedestal tomb at Claines Church is on the register because the top section of its urn finial is missing, while the urn itself is unstable, and the Scala Theatre and Corn Exchange in Angel Street are the subject of a city council scheme to create a new arts venue. Parts of the city walls on the list are scheduled monuments and Grade II listed. Some parts of the medieval walls were repaired after a grant from Historic England, but others remain at risk after plant growth. Meanwhile, collapsed boundary walls to the west and south of College Green were in "very bad" condition, according to the list, and a rebuild programme was yet to get under way. Some repairs had been carried out at St Helen's Church in Fish Street, but stonework repairs in the tower were still needed. It also noted work had resumed at a vacant building in Trotshill Lane East, Warndon. The premises has been hit by anti-social behaviour and was damaged by fire in 2020. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Plans unveiled for £7m regeneration of Colchester city centre
Updated plans for a £7m regeneration project in a city have been unveiled after they was shaped by more than 800 residents, businesses and community project to transform Colchester's southern quarter has been funded by a one-off government grant. It will be located alongside the £12m St Botolph's Circus redevelopment and the scheme is part of a wider transformation of the city King, the Liberal Democrat councillor and leader of Colchester City Council, said: "There was a real sense of excitement around the plans to enhance the grounds of St Botolph's Priory, with many suggesting that the scheme will help it to become a 'must-see' destination." Within the public consultation, people wanted to see the area modernised and revitalised, better access to St Botolph's Priory, improved connections to Colchester Town station and a new public space that celebrates the city's heritage. Feedback during the consultation included the loss of parking spaces, accessibility from the train station and preserving the special character of St Botolph's Priory ruins. Plans have since been revisited and adjusted to include more lighting on bollards and LED lighting to increase safety and CCTV. Colchester City and Essex County Councils have worked with groups representing people with sensory impairments and physical disabilities to ensure the scheme is inclusive and accessible including shaping key aspects of the layout and navigations. Historic England and English Heritage have also been involved in the project to ensure it not only safeguards the historically significant Priory but enhances its setting and visibility. Mr King said: "We're proud to be working with our community to shape a city centre that reflects our shared values - heritage, accessibility and ambition. "This project, together with our great castle and wider heritage, the upcoming Jumbo Experience, and the ambitious £5m vision for the Natural History Museum, will help position Colchester as a flagship city for anyone with an interest in British history." To coincide with St Botolph's Day, the new space will be named St Botolph's Square in honour of the Priory and the patron saint of boundaries, travel and trade. Final designs will be made public ahead of the planning submission in July. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
ITV News
4 days ago
- General
- ITV News
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral has listing status upgraded to recognise ‘architectural brilliance'
A cathedral which is said to have transformed British design has had its listing status upgraded to recognise the building's 'architectural brilliance'. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool, often referred to locally as a 'wigwam' due to its unique shape, has been awarded Grade I listed status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, following advice from Historic England. The listing recognises the building, previously graded as Grade II*, as 'of exceptional interest' and is a standard only awarded to about 2.5% of listed buildings. Archbishop of Liverpool John Sherrington said: 'I welcome the announcement that Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King has been recognised as a Grade I listed building. 'It commands the Liverpool skyline and is visible for miles around. The building has been described as 'the soul of the city' and brings hope to thousands who visit each year.' The Catholic cathedral, which sits at the opposite end of Hope Street to its Anglican counterpart, was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd and built between 1962 and 1967. The structure features a central lantern which was filled with coloured glass, using a technique designed specifically for the building. Sarah Charlesworth, from Historic England, said: 'Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral transformed British cathedral design with its revolutionary centralised plan, representing a radical departure from traditional designs.' Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson said the building was an 'instantly recognisable symbol of Liverpool'. She said: 'This recognition rightly honours its architectural significance and the prominent place it holds in our skyline – a true jewel in Liverpool's crown.' Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram added: 'Liverpool is a city with a proud architectural and cultural heritage, and the Metropolitan Cathedral is one of its most iconic landmarks. 'The bold, modern design broke new ground and has become a beacon of faith, hope and innovation, not just for our region but across the world.' The cathedral was built over a crypt, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, which was intended to be part of a grand classical-style building that began in the 1930s, before financial constraints and the outbreak of the Second World War led to construction being halted. Historic England said the upgrade of listing status reflected a deeper understand of Sir Frederick's architectural vision and 'the cathedral's significance as an international example of progressive Roman Catholic architecture during the mid-20th century'. Catherine Croft, director of The Twentieth Century Society, a charity which campaigns to save modern architectural and design heritage, said: 'The 'Wigwam' or 'The Mersey Funnel', as it's affectionately known among locals, is unique in world architecture and has long been a powerful homecoming beacon for Liverpudlians. 'Liverpool now rightly has two magnificent Grade I listed cathedrals which together demonstrate just how varied, exciting, and emotionally uplifting 20th century architecture can be. 'A great vessel of post-war glass, sculpture and design, the listing upgrade will help ensure the modernist cathedral's careful long-term conservation and appreciation by all who visit – to worship or just to marvel.' Historic England has also enhanced the existing Grade II listing for Hopwood Hall Chapel in Middleton, Greater Manchester, which was built in 1964 to Sir Frederick's designs and shares features including the lantern tower of concrete and glass.
Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Cathedral has listing status upgraded to recognise ‘architectural brilliance'
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool, often referred to locally as a 'wigwam' due to its unique shape, has been awarded Grade I listed status by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, following advice from Historic England. The listing recognises the building, previously graded as Grade II*, as 'of exceptional interest' and is a standard only awarded to about 2.5% of listed buildings. Archbishop of Liverpool John Sherrington said: 'I welcome the announcement that Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King has been recognised as a Grade I listed building. 'It commands the Liverpool skyline and is visible for miles around. The building has been described as 'the soul of the city' and brings hope to thousands who visit each year.' The Catholic cathedral, which sits at the opposite end of Hope Street to its Anglican counterpart, was designed by Sir Frederick Gibberd and built between 1962 and 1967. London architect Frederick Gibberd with a perspective drawing of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King in Liverpool (PA) The structure features a central lantern which was filled with coloured glass, using a technique designed specifically for the building. Sarah Charlesworth, from Historic England, said: 'Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral transformed British cathedral design with its revolutionary centralised plan, representing a radical departure from traditional designs.' Liverpool Riverside MP Kim Johnson said the building was an 'instantly recognisable symbol of Liverpool'. She said: 'This recognition rightly honours its architectural significance and the prominent place it holds in our skyline – a true jewel in Liverpool's crown.' Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram added: 'Liverpool is a city with a proud architectural and cultural heritage, and the Metropolitan Cathedral is one of its most iconic landmarks. 'The bold, modern design broke new ground and has become a beacon of faith, hope and innovation, not just for our region but across the world.' The cathedral was built over a crypt, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, which was intended to be part of a grand classical-style building that began in the 1930s, before financial constraints and the outbreak of the Second World War led to construction being halted. The sun sets on the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool (Peter Byrne/PA) Historic England said the upgrade of listing status reflected a deeper understand of Sir Frederick's architectural vision and 'the cathedral's significance as an international example of progressive Roman Catholic architecture during the mid-20th century'. Catherine Croft, director of The Twentieth Century Society, a charity which campaigns to save modern architectural and design heritage, said: 'The 'Wigwam' or 'The Mersey Funnel', as it's affectionately known among locals, is unique in world architecture and has long been a powerful homecoming beacon for Liverpudlians. 'Liverpool now rightly has two magnificent Grade I listed cathedrals which together demonstrate just how varied, exciting, and emotionally uplifting 20th century architecture can be. 'A great vessel of post-war glass, sculpture and design, the listing upgrade will help ensure the modernist cathedral's careful long-term conservation and appreciation by all who visit – to worship or just to marvel.' Historic England has also enhanced the existing Grade II listing for Hopwood Hall Chapel in Middleton, Greater Manchester, which was built in 1964 to Sir Frederick's designs and shares features including the lantern tower of concrete and glass.
