Structures in Peril: Potential Danger Looms over Various Structures
Fifty At-Risk Buildings: SAVE Britain's Heritage Celebrates Its 50th With a Warning
Turning 50, SAVE Britain's Heritage has added an impressive 50 historic structures to its Buildings at Risk Register. This tool, established in 1989, serves as a watchdog for the fate of neglected, empty, or endangered buildings throughout the UK. It previously was exclusive to SAVE's Friends and Saviors but is now available to the public, reflecting the organization's mission to expand its community and empower more champions of heritage[1].
One such building at risk is the Buffet Building situated in the iconic Dreamland amusement park, Margate. Designed by architect CFS Palmer in 1928, this structure showcases striking Modernist design. Featuring a sweeping entrance, the building's exterior sports the word "BUFFET" prominently spelled out in oversized letters. Inside, a breathtaking glass ceiling with a complex geometric pattern fills the interior with a rush of natural light[2].
Now, the building stands derelict and unused, making it susceptible to further deterioration and potential loss. Once an arcade, it's currently in a sorry state, calling for immediate attention[2]. Other notable entries on the list include the rustic Tin Tabernacle in the Hampshire village of Sherfield English, one of the few surviving examples of a unique building form designed for dissenting congregations[1].
Originating from a group of journalists, architectural historians, and planners in 1975, SAVE has fought tirelessly for 50 years to salvage and repurpose our nation's historic buildings. Formed in response to the destruction of historic sites during the 1960s and 70s, when cities and towns faced redevelopment, SAVE's efforts safeguarded places like Covent Garden, Soho, and Whitehall from demolition. Meanwhile, country houses were being razed at an alarming rate due to demographic changes, tastes, and tax regulations, with SAVE stepping in to save Wentworth Woodhouse, a colossal residence in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, reputed to be Europe's largest house in terms of surface area[3].
The organization takes on preservation efforts by garnering public awareness, engaging the planning system, and, when necessary, going to court, often collaborating with local organizations and industry professionals like architects, engineers, and developers[3]. Every now and then, SAVE takes a hands-on approach, as it did when buying Barlaston Hall in Staffordshire in 1981 for a mere £1 during a public inquiry. The grade I-listed Palladian house was subsequently restored, and the organization pursued the Coal Board for compensation to cover roof repairs. Later, the building changed hands to dedicated owners who painstakingly restored its interiors[3].
Today, as the climate crisis looms larger, SAVE's message to repurpose rather than demolish historic buildings has taken on renewed urgency. The M&S Oxford Street planning inquiry, which placed heritage and carbon emissions side by side, stands as a milestone in this movement[4]. In Henrietta Billings' words, director of SAVE Britain's Heritage, "Working together, we can ensure the restoration, revitalization, and repurposing of thousands of remarkable buildings that will serve as beacons of social, economic, and environmental prosperity, benefiting people, places, and our planet[4]."
[1] "Recent Entry: Tin Tabernacle, Sherfield English." SAVE Britain's Heritage, accessed September 20, 2023. https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/buildings-at-risk-register/
[2] "Dreamland's Buffet Building: A Modernist Masterpiece at Risk." SAVE Britain's Heritage, accessed September 20, 2023. https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/buildings-at-risk-register/
[3] "Reusing Our Heritage: SAVE Britain's Heritage Through the Years." SAVE Britain's Heritage, accessed September 20, 2023. https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/about-us/
[4] "Climate Crisis Urgently Calls for Reuse of Historic Buildings." SAVE Britain's Heritage, accessed September 20, 2023. https://www.savebritainsheritage.org/news-centre/climate-crisis-urgently-calls-for-repurposing-historic-buildings/
In light of SAVE Britain's Heritage's mission to safeguard historic buildings, investing in the restoration and repurposing of structures like the Buffet Building in Margate could be a sustainable approach for real-estate development, offering environmental, social, and economic benefits. Meanwhile, the organization's ongoing efforts, such as engaging the planning system and collaborating with industry professionals, continue to play a significant role in preserving the UK's heritage for future generations.
