Historic England has announced its new register of historic sites at risk - including a number of sites in and around Congleton.

Historic England is responsible for checking the condition of buildings, battlefields, places of worship, conservation areas, wreck sites and more. 

The yearly Register gives a snapshot of the health of England's valued historic buildings and places.

Over the past year, 159 historic buildings and sites have been added to the Register because they are at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate development and 203 sites have been rescued and their futures secured. In total, there are 4,871 entries on the Heritage at Risk Register in 2023 - 48 fewer than in 2022.

The Heritage at Risk Register 2023 reveals that in the North West:

• 77 Buildings or Structures
• 139 places of worship
• 82 Archaeology
• 7 parks and gardens
• 72 conservation areas  

…are at risk of neglect, decay or inappropriate change.

In total, there are 413 entries across the North West on the 2023 Heritage at Risk Register.

Congleton locations include the Church of St Peter on Chapel Street and the centre of the historic town, which is in the unique position of being a conservation area.

Historic England says: "Heritage at Risk sites can come in many forms; from grand to simple buildings and structures, to large visible earthworks and less visible buried remains. Many issues threaten these sites, from environmental to human impact.

"The Heritage at Risk Register tells communities about the condition of their local neighbourhood. It encourages people to become actively involved in looking after what is precious to them. It also reassures them that any public funding goes to the most needy and urgent cases."

You can find the full register here.