WIREDGOV

English Heritage has launched the Heritage at Risk Register 2012 and announced an ambitious programme to find out how the one major element of our heritage not already covered by the Register - the nation's Grade II listed buildings  - can be assessed. Adding those found to be at risk from neglect, decay, damaging alterations or dereliction to the national or local At Risk Registers would be a first step to securing their future.

There are some 345,000 Grade II buildings in England, accounting for 92% of all listed buildings. Beautiful, historic or architecturally special, they are the houses, cottages, shops, inns, offices, schools, town halls, libraries, farms, mills and other distinguished buildings that shape the character of our cities, towns and villages.

Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: "Grade II buildings are the bulk of the nation's heritage treasury. When one of them is lost, it's as though someone has rubbed out a bit of the past - something that made your street or your village special will have gone.

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