{"id":23736,"date":"2019-08-27T17:35:39","date_gmt":"2019-08-27T16:35:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ihbconline.co.uk\/newsachive\/?p=23736"},"modified":"2019-08-27T17:35:39","modified_gmt":"2019-08-27T16:35:39","slug":"ihbcs-heritage-from-the-doorstep-a-critical-time-to-protect-historic-leper-hospital-in-warwick","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsblogs.ihbc.org.uk\/?p=23736","title":{"rendered":"IHBC\u2019s \u2018Heritage from the doorstep\u2019: A \u2018critical time\u2019 to protect historic leper hospital in Warwick"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"website\"Emergency work is set to be ordered to prevent the total collapse of the historic Leper Hospital in Warwick, notes The Leamington Observer<\/em>, as the site has \u2018remained on Historic England\u2019s Heritage at Risk Register for some two decades \u2013 described as in a \u2018very bad\u2019 condition, the worst most serious rating\u2019.<\/h3>\n

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The Leamington Observer<\/em> writes:<\/p>\n

The long-neglected ruins of the medieval St Michael\u2019s Leper Hospital, which sits in a patch of scrubland in Saltisford, has stood derelict for many years covered by a tarpaulin and propped up with scaffolding. But what is left of the grade II-listed hospital, founded in the 12th century by the Earl of Warwick, is in desperate need of protection.<\/p>\n

The grade II listed structure is privately-owned, but as the owner has not carried out work to protect it, Warwick District Council is preparing to step in and then take measures to recover costs. A council spokesman said: \u2018A structural survey and assessment of the building has been compiled by specialist surveyors following an inspection in May commissioned by the council. This concluded the building is in poor condition and in urgent need of works to stabilise and protect it from the elements to avoid further deterioration and loss of an important heritage asset within the district.\u2019<\/p>\n

The hospital, also known as the Master\u2019s House, is one of only three such remaining buildings in the country. The current state of the building is described as an \u2018embarrassment to the town\u2019 in a report to the council\u2019s planning committee. In April last year the council pledged \u00a3530,000 \u2013 from so-called Section 106 funding paid to the council by housing developers building in the district \u2013 to help save the site for future generations.<\/p>\n

Council chiefs have long looked for possible ways to preserve the hospital, but a number of proposals have failed to get off the drawing board. It has meant the site has remained on Historic England\u2019s Heritage at Risk Register for some two decades \u2013 described as in a \u2018very bad\u2019 condition, the worst most serious rating. Councillors are recommended to agree the go-ahead for the emergency work when they meet on August 13.<\/p>\n

Critical time to protect historic leper hospital<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n