West Midlands buildings named in top 10 endangered list

Two West Midlands building have been named on a top 10 endangered buildings list, which the Victorian Society says are “crying out” to be saved.

Langley Maltings in Sandwell, which dates back to 1870, were used until 2006 but fell victim to arson in 2009 which the society said caused “significant” damage.

They were were saved from demolition in 2012 but have since fallen into disrepair.

Meanwhile, Brandwood End Cemetery Chapels in Birmingham also feature in the list.

The red brick, neo-gothic mortuary chapels stand at the highest point of Brandwood cemetery grounds. The society said they provided a “dramatic central focus” for the cemetery but were in a “terrible state”.

The chapels have been closed for more than 30 years and an arson attack in 1995 gutted the north-east one.

The Victorian Society’s annual list aims to expose the plight of Victorian and Edwardian buildings at risk.

Society president Griff Rhys Jones said: “Every single building is crying out for redevelopment.”

He added: “These are pieces of the history of the Victorian era and its industrial, spiritual and cultural beliefs – incredible.

“And this makes their current sad and neglected state even harder to swallow.”