Derbyshire Historic Buildings Trust
Identifying Buildings at Risk • Achieving their Rescue
Buildings at Risk in Derbyshire
Identifying and protecting Derbyshire’s historic buildings at risk
Derbyshire is home to thousands of historic buildings - from farmhouses and mills to chapels, schools and industrial sites. Many are well cared for, but others are at risk through neglect, vacancy or gradual decay.
The Buildings at Risk programme is creating a county-wide picture of the condition of Grade II listed buildings, helping to identify those most in need of attention and action.
Originally developed in the West Midlands, the approach has now been successfully piloted here in Derbyshire (thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund), demonstrating how volunteer-led surveying can support heritage at a regional scale.
Why it matters
Historic buildings are part of Derbyshire’s identity — but without regular care, they can quickly deteriorate.
Buildings are considered “at risk” when they are:
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vacant or underused
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in poor or declining condition
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lacking regular maintenance
Without early intervention, small issues can become major problems - leading to loss of historic fabric and rising repair costs.
By identifying buildings at risk early, we can:
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prevent avoidable decay
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support owners and communities
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prioritise action where it’s most needed
What we've done
Surveyed hundreds of listed buildings across Derbyshire using a consistent approach.
Trained volunteers to help record building condition and support the programme.
Developed a simple digital survey method to make it easier to collect and manage information.
Applied the West Midlands approach in Derbyshire, demonstrating how volunteer-led surveying can support heritage at a regional scale.
What happens next
Following the completion of the initial project, Buildings at Risk is continuing as an ongoing programme.
We are now:
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extending surveys into new areas
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reviewing and updating existing data
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working with partners to support action
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exploring opportunities to bring buildings back into use