Some of Manchester's oldest and grandest buildings are at risk of being lost.
Whether it's an historic place of worship, ruins or a stately home, maintaining a listed building can be costly, with some sites falling into disrepair through the years.
Historic England, the public body that looks after the nation's historic environment, oversees a register of listed buildings, sites and conservation areas it deems 'at-risk'.
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This can be due to poor condition, neglect, or the building simply standing vacant.
Here, we take a look at the historic buildings in Manchester that are currently on Historic England's 'at risk' register.
1. Church of St Nicholas
The Church of St Nicholas is a Grade II* listed building and its condition is described as 'poor' by Historic England.
Designed by ‘revolutionary’ church architect Nugent Francis Cachemaille-Day, who was also behind the Church of St Michael and All Angels in Northenden, the building on Kingsway, Burnage, underwent a complete restoration between 2000 and 2002 at a cost of £1m.
Regarded as a milestone in the history of church architecture, Historic England describe it as an 'important and prominent 1930s Modernist church'.
The charity says: "A first phase of repair supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund's Grants for Places of Worship scheme has addressed the leaks associated with the parapet gutter.
"There are considerable corrosion problems with the original windows and these will need a subsequent phase of work."
They describe the building as Priority A - in immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric with no solution agreed.
2. Baguley Hall
The dilapidated 14th Century manor house in Wythenshawe, said to be Manchester’s oldest surviving building, is Grade I listed.
Located on Hall Lane, it was due for a revamp after the Friends group managed to secure £1.5m of repair funds from Historic England in 2013. But the funding was withdrawn in 2016 with HE bosses saying budget cuts meant the money could no longer be offered.
Speaking at the time, Mat Hopkins, chairman of the Friends of Baguley Hall, said the hall would become a ruin unless urgent action is taken.
Historic England say they are committed to securing a sustainable long term solution for the medieval hall.
The condition of the building has also been assessed as 'poor' by the charity.
3. Victoria Baths with attached forecourt walls
Once described as 'the most splendid municipal bathing institution in the country', the Longsight swimming pool has been closed since 1993.
Located on Hathersage Road, it is Grade II* listed.
Historic England said: "A former public baths complex dating from 1906. A major programme of repairs continues, led by the Victoria Baths Preservation Trust, with external repairs to the front block and Gala Pool now completed.
"A condition survey has been updated in preparation for a National Lottery Heritage Fund application. A variety of public spaces are available and in regular use for multiple events whilst other areas await restoration."
The condition of the building has also been described as 'poor' by Historic England, who class it is Priority C, ie in a state of slow decay with no solution agreed.
4. Church of St Ann
Following the 2017 Manchester Arena terror attack, the St Ann’s Square church became the focal point for the city’s grief.
But Mancunians have been seeking comfort and solace at the Grade I-listed place of worship for more than 300 years.
Permission to build St Ann’s Church was granted in 1708, named after the wife of the lord of the manor, and the square around it took on its name.
The church is now one of only 15 Grade I listed buildings in Manchester.
The classical-style church was restored in 1886 by Alfred Waterhouse, its architectural features include large round-headed windows and an internal aisle arcade of Tuscan columns supporting the upper balconies.
"The church plays a key role in defining the character of St Ann's Square. Extensive restoration of the tower masonry and a reroofing of the nave has been completed, whilst the east apse masonry is in need of a further phase of repair," says Historic England.
They say the building is in 'poor' condition - classed as Priority C, which points to 'slow decay with no solution agreed'.
5. Synagogue of Withington Congregation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews
A Grade II listed building, the Synagogue of Withington Congregation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews is located on Old Lansdowne Road, Didsbury.
Historic England describe it as: "Red brick synagogue of 1925-6 by Delissa Joseph under the supervision of Joseph Sunlight in the Art Deco/Neoclassical style of the time.
"The building appears to be generally in good condition but is suffering from some water ingress from concealed parapet gutters and failing downpipes," they add.
While a grant was received in 2019 to help with maintenance, they class the condition of the building as poor, in a state of 'slow decay'.
6. Wythenshawe Hall
This 16th century timber-framed gem, which is Grade II* listed, suffered £5.2 million worth of damage when arsonist Jeremy Taylor, 28, set five separate fires in the building in March 2016.
Taylor, a sales assistant from Wythenshawe who was jailed for four-and-a-half years, stuffed newspapers around drainpipes and doors of the timber-framed building, which was given to the city by Lord and Lady Simon in 1926 and, until 2010, served as a museum and art gallery, before lighting them and setting off for his home nearby.
The blaze spread through the entrance hall and upwards onto the first and second floors and out through the roof, destroying the bell tower.
Earlier this year, it was reported how Manchester council is carrying out more refurbishment and security upgrades at Wythenshawe Hall more than five years after it was devastated by the arson attack.
Historic England described it as an 'enlarged timber framed and brick house, originally the seat of the Egerton family of Tatton. Central core is an early C16 timber framed hall, altered in C17, partly rebuilt in 1797, then enlarged in the early C19.'
"The building suffered a major arson attack in March 2016," they added. "The significant damage has all been completely restored.
"Manchester City Council are discussing future uses with the community and the active friends group, but the hall remains in only partial sporadic use.
"They are also reviewing wider uses of the parkland."
The condition of the building has also been described as 'poor' by Historic England.
7. Church of English Martyrs
Located on Alexandra Road South, Whalley Range, the Church of English Martyrs is Grade II listed.
Historic England describe it as a "church of 1895-6 in the Early English style. Designed by FH Oldham it is mainly rock-faced sandstone with dressed stone spire and upper tower and window details."
"Despite a fairly recent reroof to the south side, there is extensive water penetration through the slate roof and issues have been noted with the leadwork and rainwater goods," they add.
"The leaks are damaging the interior decoration and concerns have been raised about impact on structure."
On their website, it states the building is Priority A - in immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric with no solution agreed.
8. Church of Emmanuel
The Church of Emmanuel is Grade II listed and located on Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury.
The Victorian church was built in 1858 and features William Morris glass work.
While work has been done to repair the roof, with significant support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, HE says 'a further phase of work is required to the remaining roofs and some stone tracery.'
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The condition of the building is described as 'poor' by Historic England, who say it is Priority C, being of slow decay with no solution agreed.
9. Police and Fire Station
Completed in 1906, Manchester’s vast former fire headquarters has been largely derelict since 1986.
Located in London Road, it is Grade II* listed.
However with work to repair and reuse the building well underway, with consent granted for a mixed use scheme including a hotel and office space, Historic England say 'the next year should hopefully result in a noticeable improvement to the building's condition.'
Nonetheless, the condition of the building is still classed as 'poor' by Historic England.
10. Roman Catholic Church of St Chad and presbytery
This site is located on Cheetham Hill Road and is Grade II listed.
Historic England describe it as "designed by Weightman and Hadfield in 1846-7 in the Perpendicular style, with coursed sandstone rubble, slate roofs and a prominent three-stage tower. Simple plan of sanctuary and nave, with aisles to north and south."
"A first phase of repair work funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund's Grants for Places of Worship scheme was completed at the end of 2015," the charity adds.
"A second phase to repair unstable window tracery due to corroded iron cramp damage, as well as rot issues to the vestry is underway. A Minor Repair Grant from the Taylor Review Pilot was received in 2019 to help with rot to the belfry."
The condition of the building has also been described as 'poor' by Historic England.
11. Brookfield Unitarian Church
Brookfield Unitarian Church is Grade II* listed and located on Hyde Road, Gorton.
Historic England describe it as a 'landmark sandstone spired church in a churchyard surrounded by woodland.'
"Designed by Thomas Worthington in 1869-71, it has a six bay nave with north and south aisles," the charity adds.
"Arcade columns are of polished granite and wall faces are plaster lined with a large painting over the chancel arch. The roofs have been repaired but the interior has suffered from consequential water damage to the plasterwork. The church has been a victim of heritage crime."
The condition of the building is described as "poor" by Historic England, who class it is Priority C, being of slow decay with no solution agreed.
12. Church of All Saints
Located off Old Church Street, Newton Heath, this site is Grade II listed.
They say the Gothic-style church, built 1814, has' already undergone several repair phases, but further works needed to rectify roof faults and several dry rot outbreaks.'
Heritage England say the church has been 'a victim of heritage crime', is in poor condition, and Priority A - ie in immediate risk of further rapid deterioration or loss of fabric with no solution agreed.
13. Heaton Hall
Grade I listed, Heaton Hall is in Heaton Park, Crumpsall.
The west wing of the neoclassical country house, which dates back to 1772, is described as an 'empty shell' following a fire in the 1980s.
"Historic England has grant aided three phases of work, including repairs to stonework, windows, rendering and the Orangery," the charity adds.
"The Council has developed a strategic plan to deliver a sustainable future for Heaton Park, with the reactivated Hall as its focal point. The initial focus is to bring the Orangery back into use as an events space.
"The ongoing partnership with the Friends of Heaton Hall is resulting in increased usage of the building."
The condition of the building has also been described as 'poor' by Historic England, who say it is Priority C, being of slow decay with no solution agreed.
14. St Aidan United Reform Church
This Grade II listed building is on Palatine Road, Didsbury.
Historic England describe it as a'"red brick church building from 1901 with Art Nouveau stained glass windows.'
While the building us 'generally well maintained and in regular use', Heritage England say the brickwork is suffering some problems from water ingress.
15. Church of St John the Evangelist
This Grade II* listed building is on Waterloo Road, Cheetham Hill.
Historic England described it as: "Romanesque style, Paley and Austin Church built 1869 with soaring landmark square four stage tower with steeply pitched pyramid red clay tile roof.
"The church was closed for several years and the New Testament Church of God is undertaking repairs to the general fabric, addressing incomplete work and recent damage to the porch, together with interior improvements to the facilities."
16. Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Name of Jesus
The Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Name of Jesus is Grade I listed and located on Oxford Road, Chorlton-on-Medlock.
Historic England describe it as 'designed by J. A. Hansom and built in 1867-71. An imposing sandstone and slate building, it is a significant landmark on a major road into the city.'
"Failure of lead work and slating are allowing water ingress to the east sides of the transepts which is now endangering roof timbers and the interior," they added.
The condition of the building has also been described as "poor" by Historic England, who say it is Priority D, ie of slow decay with solution agreed but not yet implemented.
To see Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register and sites featured from across Greater Manchester, click here.
