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A dinosaur park featuring 30 reptilian replicas has been added to Historic England\u2019s (HE) list of sites at risk of being lost.<\/h3>\nA dinosaur park featuring 30 reptilian replicas has been added to Historic England\u2019s (HE) list of sites at risk of being lost.<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n
The collection of life-size creations at Crystal Palace Park in London has developed cracks, with some statues in danger of losing toes, teeth and tails.<\/p>\n
Historic England has added the Grade I-listed creations, which date back to the mid-1850s, to its “at risk” register.<\/p>\n
“We don’t want them to become extinct again,” the government body said.<\/p>\n
The dinosaurs were created between 1852 and 1855 by artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkin.<\/p>\n
Although the cause of their deterioration is not yet known, ground movement on artificial islands or changing water levels in surrounding lakes is suspected.<\/p>\n
Duncan Wilson, from Historic England, said: “By adding them to our heritage at risk register, we can focus attention on them and ensure a lasting programme of repairs and on-going maintenance is carried out.”<\/p>\n
Historic England said the creatures represented the cutting edge of scientific knowledge at the time and would have been “an extraordinary sight” to the Victorians.<\/p>\n
They are now deemed to be inaccurate by current understanding.<\/p>\n
The dinosaurs are arranged in chronological order on three artificial islands and in lakes in the south section of the park.<\/p>\n
Dr Ellinor Michel, from Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs, said: “While it is distressing that the sculptures need to be called ‘at risk’, it is the best way for them to get the professional conservation work they need.”<\/p>\n
An investigative survey is due to be carried out on the site, with conservation work beginning once the assessment of the cause of the damage to the statues has been completed.<\/p>\n
The entire restoration project is estimated to cost about \u00a3800,000.<\/p>\n
Bromley Council’s Peter Morgan said money for restoration would also be “generated by the sale of sites on the periphery of the park” currently subject to planning permission.<\/p>\n
Conservation work will begin once an assessment of the cause of the damage to the statues has been completed.<\/p>\n
Historic England’s “at risk” register seeks to protect places and monuments being lost as a result of neglect, decay or inappropriate development.<\/p>\n
It includes historic buildings, wrecks, battlefields, monuments as well as parks and gardens.<\/p>\n