The climate emergency and our industrial heritage: what next?

Storm Babet hit the UK in October 2023 with significant force. Strong and sustained winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread flooding bore substantial loss and damage across the country. Industrial heritage sites in the North East of England impacted by Storm Babet included the Grade II-listed lighthouse and pier at South Shields, and the Scheduled Monument and Grade II and II*-listed structures of Killhope Lead Mining Museum, County Durham. South Shields lighthouse, amidst 9 metre high waves, lost its domed copper roof, curved glazing and navigational light to the sea. The South piers, as well as the North pier in Tynemouth, were also both extensively damaged. Killhope Lead Mining Museum was forced to close due to rising water levels and associated risk to visitors, the site and structures contained within.   

Soon after the storm had passed, we met with the Port of Tyne Authority - the owners and custodians of the two piers - to establish the extent of loss and the condition of remaining lighthouse structure before devising a scheme of repair and renewal of the upper structure and roof.

Archive drawings; comparison with similar lighthouses elsewhere; remaining existing structure; and damaged components which subsequently washed ashore; were all utilised to build up an understanding of the original structure, allowing accurate recreation of the lighthouse by specialist contractors and metalworkers. Over the course of the summer months of 2024, the lighthouse top was faithfully and robustly rebuilt, reinstating its vital navigational duties and protecting the lighthouse again from future winter months.   

Further inland, the vulnerable and isolated Killhope Lead Mining Museum also suffered significantly from both past and recent weather events. This former lead mine and processing site was established during times when climate extremes were uncommon, and structures were not designed to withstand intense storms, or dramatic temperature changes. With the increase of harsh winters and heightened rainfall, the site at Killhope is now in constant battle against deterioration, and Storm Babet further exposed these emerging weaknesses. The water courses which were once central to the operation of the lead mine are now frequently overwhelmed, causing sustained and increased damage to the Scheduled Monument and its structures.  

In collaboration with Durham County Council, we established the condition and urgency of repair requirements across the site, and prepared a prioritised approach to building repair and long-term resilience. Alongside conservation works to buildings and structures, sitewide drainage improvements and water management strategies have been implemented. The history and interpretation of Killhope Lead Mining Museum as an industrial site is inextricably linked to the flow of water which once powered the site’s machinery, and these works have sought to safeguard the future of the museum, whilst celebrating the fundamental presence of water.  

These examples of South Shields Lighthouse and Killhope Lead Mining Museum bring in to focus our response over the past year to the direct impacts of climate change within existing industrial heritage settings, and consider how we can increase resilience as a key component of building repair projects. Implementing improvement in the aftermath of destructive force though will not alone solve the issue of climate change. A proactive, climate literate approach is also required in influencing new works.   

Following Hull City Council’s declaration of climate emergency and announcement of their 2030 carbon neutral commitment, we are nearing completion of Hull’s newest visitor centre being constructed to Passivhaus standards. Operating as a flagship visitor destination within the former North End Shipyard, the visitor centre’s design and construction focuses upon a high-performance, well insulated, airtight envelope working in unison with heat recovery ventilation systems and photovoltaic array, ensuring air quality and comfort within a building of very low energy demand and operating at net zero carbon emissions. The building also explores and celebrates Hull’s rich maritime heritage, reconnecting the city with its waterfront and sharing its site with Hull’s last surviving deep-sea trawler, the Arctic Corsair. In addition to design which seeks to mitigate the impacts of climate change, climate resilience is also acknowledged, with rising sea levels and increased storm events protected against through integrated flood protection measures.   

As climate change brings warmer and wetter winters, hotter and drier summers, and more frequent and intense weather extremes, we can, without shift in collective mindset, expect these damaging events to continue. Many community groups are taking action in their locality, over 300 UK Local Authorities have declared climate emergency, UK and international Governments have embedded climate change in legislation, funders placing emphasis on climate action, and international bodies such as UNESCO emphasising climate change in education and culture, demonstrating wide-ranging local to global awareness and commitment. It is crucial that we do not stand still, that we continue to convert this awareness into action, build upon the commitments already in place and respond for the protection our heritage against the impacts of climate change. 

So, what next?

By Owen Plummer, Associate, AABC/RIBA accredtited conservation architect, and York team lead