C O N T E X T 1 1 4 : M A Y 2 0 1 0 17 DAVID TREVIS-SMITH BPT activity in the East Midlands The UK Association of Preservation Trusts is exploring new approaches to building the capacity of building preservation trusts across the region. Research provides some clues. TheEastMidlands consists of five counties (Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire) and four unitary districts (Derby City, Leicester City, Nottingham City and Rutland County). It is one of England’s most diverse regions. Unlike most other regions, the East Midlands has no dominant regional capital. The UK Association of Preservation Trusts (UKAPT), the Architectural Heritage Fund and English Heritage (EH) have identified the East Midlands as an area where building preservation trust (BPT) activity has in the past been strong but is currently at a relatively low level. What has changed? Are there no more buildings at risk in the region? Ela Palmer Heritage was commissioned by UKAPT, with financial support from English Heritage, to investigate reasons for the apparent decline in activity, and examine the need and potential for new projects. The study found that changes in the political, social and economic environment, and in funding policies, have contributed to changes in how BPTs operate. Pockets of activity do remain, including some of the more active building preservation trusts of any region in the UK. This article presents a summary of the study findings and points at where it might lead in terms of new ways to build the capacity of BPTs to rescue historic buildings at risk. Each county reported numbers of buildings at risk to the regional spatial strategy for the East Midlands monitoring report for 2007–2008 (published in 2009). This indicates over 1,650 buildings at risk across the region. Not all authorities responded to the monitoring report surveys, so the numbers of buildings at risk given should be viewed as an understatement.There is no statutory duty for authorities to compile lists.Those authorities that have provided numbers of buildings at risk may not have reviewed their own lists for a number of years. This state of affairs is not unique to the East Midlands. Buildings at risk by county Of the total number of buildings at risk in the region, 89 per cent are listed Grade II, six per cent Grade II*, three per cent Grade I, and two per cent locally listed or important buildings within a conservation area. The Heritage at Risk Register maintained by English Heritage currently records Grade I and II* buildings and, as such, only monitors nine per cent of the estimated total of such buildings in the region. Detailed information is patchy but the study has been able to collate data on approximately 20 per cent of the total number, to give a picture of the type of problems faced by buildings at risk across the region, as summarised by the tables. 7–13 Bridge Street, Horncastle. East Lindsey District Council served a compulsory purchase order on the building in a back-to-back deal with the Heritage Trust of Lincolnshire.The buildings have retained their commercial use and provide accommodation for a local community organisation.
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