WORCESTERSHIRE'S HERITAGE HAS FACED A DECADE OF NEGLECT - BURT

10.22.00am GMT Fri 2nd Nov 2007

Responding to English Heritage's report Heritage Counts 2007, their sixth annual survey of the state of England's historic environment, Richard Burt said:

"Increased government funding to English Heritage this year is undoubtedly welcome but this support could be too little too late for some historic buildings in Worcestershire and many others across England.

"The report confirms that the heritage sites which matter to small local communities still get a raw deal, so It's good news that English Heritage can use its long overdue funding to train the next generation of heritage professionals.

"They can bring the skills which are needed to tackle the serious and unacceptable regional disparities in our ability to protect historic buildings."

There are currently 16 grade I and II listed buildings and scheduled monuments that are still vulnerable to decay listed on English Heritage 'Building's At Risk' register within Worcestershire.

"Many of our local listed buildings remain at risk. Heritage Counts 2007 shows that many of these buildings will now need significant public subsidy if they are to be saved.

"After a decade of real terms cuts to its budget, it's small wonder that English Heritage says this year's cash settlement will still present significant challenges."