Historic England adds 26 NW sites in 2022
The organisation has added 26 historic places across the region to its National Heritage List for England over the course of this year.
The historic assets range from a Lake District watermill through and an Edwardian bank in Heywood to an arts & crafts house in Ancoats.
Historic England manages the National Heritage List for England on behalf of the government and Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
It identifies buildings, monuments, sites and landscapes for listing, which means they receive special protection.
Historic England’s director for the north, Trevor Mitchell, said: “The variety of listings this year illustrates the rich diversity of our shared heritage and the importance of everyday places that make up the fascinating fabric of our past. Places like this help to make us proud of where we live.
“As the challenges from the climate crisis grow, listing also helps to encourage keeping historic buildings in use, which avoids the massive amounts of extra carbon emissions associated with building new.”
In all, 23 sites were newly listed in the region, and three added as scheduled monuments. There were a further 16 amendments to existing listings.
The highest concentrations are in Cumbria and Greater Manchester, with nine and eight new listings respectively and a newly scheduled monument each.
NORTH WEST HIGHLIGHTS – PLACES LISTED OR UPGRADED IN 2022
Coombe Gill Mill, Borrowdale, Keswick, Cumbria – listed at grade two
A picturesque 18th century watermill immortalised in a drawing by John Constable in 1806, a work that now hangs in a California gallery. Although the internal milling machinery has long since disappeared, traces of it can still be seen in the fabric and shape of the building, including the original plinth that supported the milling equipment and the attached corn drying kiln.
Former doctor’s surgery, 39 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester – listed at grade two
A redbrick Arts and Crafts house rebuilt as a doctor’s surgery in 1887 after a century that had seen the area transformed into a network of mills and factories. The property was in continuous use as a doctor’s surgery for the next 28 years.
The Howk Bobbin Mil, Caldbeck, Lake District National Park – scheduled monument
Later additions showing coppice barn with L-shaped mill house beyond. Credit: Historic England
A 19th century purpose-built bobbin mill, one of the best surviving examples in the country. The mill was built by local entrepreneur John Jennings and started production in 1857. It was one of the largest in the Lake District and at the height of its operation employed 60 men and boys.
Former Union Bank of Manchester, 2 Church Street, Heywood – listed at grade two
The Mould brothers designed the bank. Credit: Historic England
Still functioning as a bank, this 103-year-old building was constructed in 1909 for the Union Bank of Manchester. It was designed by the Mould brothers, architects of several other listed UBM buildings.
The North West additions in full:
Greater Manchester:
- Air raid siren, Cecil Road, Hale
- 17 Milnrow Road, Rochdale
- Bury Bridge, Bolton Street Bury
- Chequerbent Embankment, Bolton & Leigh Railway, near Westhoughton (scheduling)
- Former Union Bank of Manchester, Heywood
- 83-87 Long Street, Middleton
- RC Church of the Holy Rosary, Fitton Hill, Oldham
- Former doctor’s surgery, 39 Great Ancoats Street, Manchester
- Brook House (formerly Park View), Oxford Place, Victoria Park, Manchester
Merseyside
- Bark Hill, Liverpool
- Edge Hill Engine Station (scheduling)
- Egremont war memorial, St John’s Church, Wirral
- 34 Alexandra Drive, Aigburth
Cheshire
- Borrow’s Bridge (and associated crane), Bridgewater Canal, Runcorn
- Former Premier Cafe, 3 High Street, Cheadle
Cumbria
- Waiting room, Bootle station
- North-east gate and railings, St Nicholas Gardens, Whitehaven
- Coombe Gill Mill, Borrowdale
- Packhorse bridge north of Coombe Gill Mill
- Coppice Howe bank barn, Skelsmergh
- Coppice Howe farmhouse, Skelsmergh
- The Howk bobbin mill (scheduling)
- Beckside farmhouse and barns, Kendal
- War memorial gate, Castle Park, Penrith
- Garnett House and attachments, Burneside, Kendal
Lancashire
- Lancs/Yorks boundary markers near Junction 22, M62
34 Alexandra Drive had plans approved that allowed it to be retained (then Sovini went in with a new app that involved demo, before it was then listed). Can somebody pick this up please – beautiful site with potential! So much demand around Sefton Park / Lark Lane area – this building could easily be sensitively converted like those around it!
By Sefton Park Lark Lane
The boundary markers near J22 on the M62 are in Greater Manchester, historically Lancashire obviously, but that would also apply to most of the Greater Manchester list and possibly one or two of the Cumbria list.
By Nick Barton