Bidston Windmill added to at-risk heritage list

A Wirral landmark has been placed on the list of heritage sites at risk.

The Grade II listed Bidston Windmill is said to require urgent repairs.

Being inckuded in Historic England's heritage at-risk register means the 18th century structure will be eligible for more funding.

Wirral Council said it is committed to restoring the "important part of the borough's heritage and a valued landmark".

Wirral's heritage champion councillor, Jerry Williams, said the windmill was "a really key building on the Wirral".

It dates from the late 18th Century and was restored in the late 19th Century and again in the 1970s but further works are now needed.

Despite work being needed on critical elements of the structure, the site remains in use for guided tours by the Friends of Bidston Hill.

The chair of the group, Chris Langton, said "several hundreds of thousands of pounds" were likely to be needed to be spent on the windmill.

"The whole of the wooden roof needs seeing to," he said.

"We've had quite a lot of pigeons get in there, and that's caused a lot of damage.

"There's a lot of wet getting inside, which is keeping the walls damp, so it's quite extensive work that needs to be done."

Despite the positives that being on the list may bring, Langton said he was "deeply concerned" the windmill, one of Birkenhead's "most recognisable and historically important landmarks" had reached the point where it had to be placed on Historic England's at-risk register.

A Wirral Council spokesperson said the authority was committed to restoring what it described as "an important part of the borough's heritage and a valued landmark".

"Inclusion on Historic England's Risk Register should not be seen negatively," the spokesperson said.

"It is something we have been working on with Historic England, as it opens opportunities to access external funding to support the required improvement works."

They said plans had been drawn up to undertake repairs to the roof and window shutters and install a new chain wheel "as soon as possible".

Claudia Kenyatta CBE and Emma Squire CBE, co-chief executives of Historic England, said historic buildings and places "help tell the story of where we live and contribute to the character and identity of local communities".

"The most effective way to protect our buildings is to bring them back into use as places that create connection and enjoyment for local people."

Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said the Heritage at Risk Register "plays a crucial role in identifying these historic places that need our support".

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