One of Bridgorth’s most historic landmarks is crumbling and may be lost forever unless swift action is taken, an English Heritage inspector claims.
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The Hermitage has been placed on the agency’s ‘at risk’ register because the sandstone is deteriorating, partly as a result of visitor activity. English Heritage ancient monuments inspector Nick Molyneux has suggested fencing the area off and regular warden patrols as ways of limiting the damage.
The ‘at risk’ register published this week lists The Hermitage as being in a “poor” condition.
Mr Molyneux, inspector at the Midlands office, said: “The Hermitage is in a dire state and we are keen to protect it. The decay is slow, but unless a programme of preservation is introduced it will eventually disappear. The ‘at risk’ list is produced every ten years and at the end of the timespan 50 per cent of buildings listed would usually have come off because protection has been carried out.
“We would hope this is the case with The Hermitage and that it does not go up the scale into the ‘very bad’ category.”
There is currently no protection in place for The Hermitage and the public have open access to the site which consists of caves lived in up until the 1800s.
Inspection had shown features inside the caves such as steps, windows and entrances were being worn away. People visiting the caves had also been lighting fires which has contributed to the crumbling sandstone.
“We shall be holding talks with Bridgnorth District Council and the owners of The Hermitage to discuss action which needs to be taken to preserve this important site for the future. We need to look at simple ways to protect it yet still keeping it accessible,” he said.
“At other cave dwellings we have recommended limiting public access by fencing the area off, and having a regular warden patrol to check the site,” he said. We have also suggested the diversion of water flow to limit erosion, though we are not sure this is causing damage here.”
He added it was likely money would be available from English Heritage towards the cost of preservation work.
“We do have money we can put into such projects depending on the circumstances.
“Because it is an ancient monument, which means no-one is likely to want to live there, we are more likely to put money in.”
Two other Bridgnorth buildings — 48 Mill Street and Apley Park hall - are also listed as “poor” but action was not so urgent as works were already in progress on these buildings, Mr Molyneux said.
Conservation officer Peter Lindsell from Bridgnorth District Council said: “We would be very happy to work with English Heritage and the owners of the site to secure the future of this important site.”
Graham Manton, agent for Apley Estate which owns the site, said he would be delighted to work with English Heritage on ways of preserving the caves.
“One of the problems has been keeping kids out. We have tried fencing it off before and may well do again.”
