Heritage buildings not at risk after regeneration
Historic EnglandA historic town centre is no longer considered at risk after its regeneration, Historic England says.
Loftus Conservation Area has been removed from the Heritage at Risk register after a derelict church was transformed into an artists' space, a new training hub was created, and shopfronts were restored in the town.
Rector of Loftus, Canon Adam Gaunt, said: "It's taken a lot of years and a lot of hard work, but it is a wonderful feeling we've been able to move away from being at risk."
Holmslinn lead mine in Allendale and West End Dovecote in Houghton le Side were also removed from the list, but the Londonderry Institute in Seaham and Christ Church in Felling have been added.
The canon said Loftus' community-led local plan was first published in 2012 and there had been a need for regeneration for a number of years.
Around £9m was secured in grants to rejuvenate the high street and Middlesbrough FC opened a £3.2m sports hub in October.
James Gordon, project lead at Redcar and Cleveland Council's regeneration team said the removal from the register was a proud moment for the council and the community.
"Loftus was built on mining heritage and perhaps wasn't reaching its potential over the last couple of decades," he said.
"We saw an opportunity and we were able to source external funding to readdress this and bring the character back."
Gaunt believes the next step is reconnecting Loftus with the national rail network in the hope of bringing tourists in, while giving residents more access to Greater Teesside.
SuppliedHistoric England says its Heritage at Risk register aims to give an annual snapshot of the health of England's valued historic buildings and places.
Despite the removal of four sites in the North East and Yorkshire, 10 have been added.
These include Seaham's Londonderry Institute, a Greek-revival building back to 1855, which is deemed to have fallen into a state of disrepair; and Christ Church in Felling, which is home to a foodbank and requires urgent roof repairs.
Other sites added include Church of St Edmund in Edmondbyers, Northumberland Hall in Alnwick, the Church of St Mary in Blanchland, Haggerston Dovecote in Ancroft, and Featherstone Castle.
Historic England