Knebworth House on English Heritage at risk register

The report mentions a hall in Knebworth House that is in very poor condition.

Knebworth House in Hertfordshire is at risk according to a new report looking into the state of listed buildings.

English Heritage's at risk register also included Mentmore Towers in Aylesbury and Orchard House in Olney.

However, the conservatory at Wrest Park in Bedfordshire and Dinton Castle in Aylesbury which both previously featured on the list have been removed.

It's thought the economic slow down is preventing estates from dealing with decaying historic sites.

Internationally famous

One of the country's best known stately homes, Knebworth House has been made internationally famous for hosting concerts in the grounds where the likes of Robbie Williams and Metallica have performed.

The gothic mansion has been home to the Lytton family since 1490 when Henry the seventh was king.

Robbie played Knebworth in 2003.

However, English Heritage's report has highlighted the listed building as being at risk.

The report talks about one wing of the sixteenth century courtyard house which was remodelled in a lavish neo-Tudor style in the mid nineteenth century.

It stated that the later work which included render and ornament 'has been in very poor condition for many years and although a major campaign of work repaired the exterior the remaining hall is still to be repaired'.

Mentmore Towers

Mentmore Towers which is a Grade 1 listed building set within a Grade II registered historic park totalling 33 hectares in Buckinghamshire appears on the 2010 list.

It lies within open countryside and is the most significant building within the Mentmore Conservation Area.

It has been empty since 1997 and is according to the report 'a long-term building at risk'.

Mentmore Towers At present, its long-term future is still not secure. English Heritage

According to English Heritage:

"Listed building consent has recently been applied for in order to repair the roofs of two of the towers, the drainage to the roof of the main building and the roof and drainage to the kitchen wing.

"These works will ensure that the condition of the main building is stable and is not at immediate risk of loss or damage.

"An application was also lodged to extend the life of the planning permission for the conversion of the building into a hotel with an extension in order to facilitate this.

"Restoration of the landscape was a condition of the planning permission but no work has commenced as yet. The building has recently been put up for sale. At present, its long-term future is still not secure."

Orchard House

Orchard House in Olney has been added to the register because of a leaking roof.

Orchard House in Olney High Street.

The pair of eighteenth century houses found on the High Street were converted into a single dwelling in 1904 by Ellis Anderson for Joseph William Mann has an impressive and exceptionally complete Edwardian interior.

However the report said: "Flat roofs, parapet gutters and hip and valley soakers are all failing and both stonework and interior plasterwork are being damaged by water ingress."

The register is made public annually but is constantly changed and updated throughout the year.

A listed building could be added to the list if it has suffered decay or damage, likewise one can be removed if improvements and maintenance work on the property has been completed.