Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

Monastery rescue is the way forward

10/10/2008

GORTON has shown the nation how it should be done when it comes to rescuing historical buildings.

This week English Heritage championed Gorton Monastery as one of England's 20 best historical development schemes in a new book called Constructive Conservation in Practice.

Buildings which would have had no future, like the 120-year-old Gorton Monastery, are now being saved, and the rescue has also shown that development can be more creative and ambitious.

Henry Owen-John, North West regional director for English Heritage, said: "The rest of the country can learn from this exemplary scheme in Manchester.

"Heritage is a non-renewable resource, once it's gone, you can't get it back.

"That's why decisions about what needs to be kept and what can be changed and adapted must be as accurate and as well-informed as possible."

Gorton Monastery closed in the 1980s and, after a project to convert it for residential use failed, it rapidly deteriorated.

Stonework, statuary and other materials, even the high altar, were stolen and the building was placed on English Heritage's Buildings at Risk Register.

The building was bought in 1996 by The Monastery Trust and a £6.5 million refurbishment project commenced, which has become one of the largest community-led regeneration projects in the country.

The building is now a business and events centre and will include a community centre.

Paul Griffiths, chairman of the Gorton Monastery Trust: "English Heritage's guidance to the Trust throughout the project has been invaluable.

"English Heritage's recent significant grant has helped rejuvenate Gorton Monastery as an icon for what can be achieved by a building preservation trust."

Other North West schemes listed among the 20 best were The Bluecoat in Liverpool, The Midland Hotel in Morecambe, and Blencowe Hall near Penrith.

Constructive Conservation in Practice can be seen on www.english-heritage.org.uk/constructiveconservation and is available free from English Heritage Customer Services on 0870 333 1181.