AN annual register has revealed the heritage sites currently at risk of being "lost forever" in the Maldon district.

Historic England publishes its annual Heritage at Risk Register for 2021 today (November 4).

The register is the yearly health-check of England’s most valued historic places and those most at risk of being lost forever as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.

There are seven heritage sites in the Maldon district which are on the Heritage at Risk register for Essex.

This includes:

  • Stow Maries World War One Aerodrome, in Purleigh
  • Plume Library, including the Tower of Former Church of St Peter, in Maldon High Street
  • Creeksea Place, in Burnham
  • Mill Mound: a bowl barrow 300m south west of Beckingham Hall, in Tolleshunt Major
  • Former Stow Maries Airfield in Flambirds Farm, Cold Norton
  • Woodham Walter Hall: an early 16th century house and its associated garden earthworks, Woodham Walter
  • Wickham Bishops timber trestle railway viaduct, Wickham Bishops

Historic England is working with all the owners - who are aware their site is on the register.

Danbury Park is also listed.

Over the past year 13 historic buildings and sites in the East of England have been removed from the register.

Historic England gave £1.5 million in grants to historic places in the East of England throughout the past year, plus another £928,650 for lifeline grants from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund.

These emergency grants have kick-started essential repairs and maintenance at many precious historic sites during the pandemic and helped protect the livelihoods of the skilled craft workers who keep the cherished historic places alive.

In February, Plume Library - one of England's oldest libraries - received a whopping £60,000 grant for help with repairs.

Nigel Huddleston, Heritage Minister, said: "I'm delighted that so many famous landmarks have been removed from the Heritage at Risk register in 2021.

"We've supported the sector throughout the pandemic with our unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund and it's great news to see this investment, along with other financial support, having such a positive impact.

"Heritage helps us understand our past and bringing old buildings and sites back into public use helps us to level up communities, create growth and protect these important assets for future generations."

A total of 26 sites in the East of England have been added to the register because of concerns about their condition.

Tony Calladine, East of England regional director for Historic England, said: “Our heritage is an anchor for us all in testing times.

"Despite the challenges we have all faced recently, this year’s Heritage at Risk register demonstrates that looking after and investing in our historic places can bring communities together, contribute to the country’s economic recovery and help tackle climate change.

"Our historic places deserve attention, investment and a secure future.”