DAVIDSTOW Church Rooms is among the many buildings in the county that have been identified by the Cornish Buildings Group over its current condition.

The group has announced its list of buildings most at risk in 2021.

The group’s chairman Patrick Newberry said: ‘This new three-year project led by the Cornish Buildings Group and supported by Historic England and the Cornwall Heritage Trust will monitor buildings at risk and help seek solutions for neglected, redundant or derelict buildings, whether they are listed or not.

“Cornwall has a rich and varied architectural legacy however some important and much-valued buildings are seriously at risk from neglect and, potentially, loss. The plight of some buildings has not been helped by the coronavirus pandemic. Since 1969 the Group has championed Cornwall’s built heritage but only since 2014 have they maintained an ‘at risk’ list. We are thankful to have the backing and support of Historic England and the Cornwall Heritage Trust for this important project’.

Among the group’s concerns are Davidstow church rooms, the Grade II listed former Sunday school to the east of the church, which is in a very poor state.

Also identified are the church of St Paul, Tregolls Road, Truro, a Grade II listed, redundant, Arts and Crafts style church which, the group fears, is at serious risk.

Another ecclesiastical building that sits high on the group’s list but has a more promising outlook is St Paul’s church, Penzance, a Grade II listed redundant church that was recently sold at auction. The group also hopes that positive solutions and new uses can be found for the rapidly declining Carharrack Methodist Church (1815) and the unlisted former Baptist chapel on the corner of Dennison Road in Bodmin (1851).

The reasons for decline are many and varied. The group said: “The aim of this list is not to apportion blame, as buildings can fall into disrepair for many reasons. However, we would like to engage with owners in order to try and understand the reasons why buildings fall into disrepair and perhaps give support.”

Cornwall has a huge heritage of industrial buildings, many of which are in a poor state. Loggan’s Mill at Hayle, is an early 19th century Grade II listed mill where much talk has been had on repurposing this building but as yet, no positive action has been enacted.

Of great concern to the group are high status houses. as Paul Holden, project lead, explained: “This project aims to highlight issues of neglected buildings, some of which have neglected for decades. Botallack Manor, near St Just, is one example, This Grade II listed, 17th century house, has been uninhabited for some time, the consequence being that it is exposed to water ingress and the risk of heritage crime. Likewise, Polvellan Manor, a former country house and latterly a hotel at West Looe, is not listed and in a perilous state. Plans for flats and part demolition have not, as yet, come to any fruition’.

The list has been compiled by the Cornish Buildings Group and is aimed to complement the Heritage at Risk register managed by Historic England. It is hoped that it will inform other risk lists compiled by groups such as SAVE and the Victorian Society. The Cornish Buildings Group list will include all building types regardless of whether they are listed or not.

The list can be seen in full on the Group’s online project page which can be found at https://buildingsatrisk.wordpress.com/

Other buildings of concern which will be monitored by our project team of volunteers include Marke Valley Mine, Linkinhorne. This scheduled monument is in a precarious state and in desperate need of stabilisation before the chimney stacks collapse completely.

At Poytons Piece, Minions, St Cleer, an unlisted site with two small semi-detached cottages, most likely miners’ small holdings, are roofless and ruined. Likewise at Meledor Farmhouse, St Stephen-in-Brannell, the Grade II listed house, with parts dating to the early 16th century, is unoccupied and shuttered.

If you are an owner of a building at risk and would like to discuss its future or if you would like to report a building that is of some concern or if you would like to volunteer to support the project please contact [email protected]