Whitchurch’s inclusion on a ‘Heritage at Risk’ list may be beneficial for the town, according to a conservation officer.

Ruth Hitchen, senior conservation officer at Shropshire Council, said following the inclusion on English Heritage’s list after a survey, work can now begin on making improvements on buildings.

The recently-published list rates the condition of the conservation area of the town as ‘very bad’ for reasons such as empty buildings, or wrong windows being fitted.

However, Mrs Hitchen said some of these issues have already been resolved with new businesses due to open up in the town centre imminently.

She continued: “We haven’t had the resources to undertake all the surveys before so that’s the reason it has appeared on the list now.

“This work is being carried out nationally to get an understanding of what is happening in conservation areas, which carry more than just a high street.

“It’s not just one particular building but the overall look.

“But it isn’t all bad because English Heritage wants to understand what is happening so it uses this to see if it has funding which it can channel to make a difference and that is what it is all about.”

Mrs Hitchen added: “These buildings were surveyed in the spring and the list was published only this month so there is already some good work going on as we speak.”

Included on the register is:

n the Grade Two* listed Old Hall and garden wall at Old Marton in Ellesmere, which remains on the list but has a repair scheme in progress.

n the Grade Two* listed Hawkstone Windmill and Grade Two listed Red Castle, both based at Hawkstone Park are described as being in poor condition.

n The Grade Two* listed Old Rectory in Whitchurch also remains on the list but urgent works have been undertaken.

n The Church of St John the Baptist in Ightfield is also a new entry with the Grade Two* listed 15th century building requiring “high level” masonry works.

English Heritage said it is working with local authorities to address issues of conversation areas – of which six per cent in England are classed as ‘at risk’ – and once plans are in place and positive progress made areas will be removed from the list.