THE state of heritage-rich conservation areas in the Winchester district is among the worst in the country, according to Heritage England.

Some 16 out of 37 areas are said to be at risk, 43 per cent of the total, compared to the national average of only six per cent being endangered through development.

Liberal Democrat city councillor Martin Tod said: “Heritage is vital to our district and part of what makes it such a great area to live. It’s clear though that the city council has massively dropped the ball on this.

“We need to know why the Winchester district is doing so much worse than other areas and what the council is going to do about it. This isn’t just about the kind of the obvious public failings like the Conservative administration’s failure to clean and maintain the Buttercross. This goes right across the district.”

But the statistics have been causing surprise in places such as Compton Street. According to the Heritage England website Compton Street’s condition is “very bad” and deteriorating.

Other areas said to be at risk and ‘deteriorating’ or ‘unknown’ are Winchester, Droxford, Easton, Itchen Stoke, Martyr Worthy, Twyford, Southwick, Sutton Scotney and Wonston.

At risk but said to be ‘improving’ or with ‘no significant change’, were Exton, Sparsholt, Hambledon, West Meon, New Alresford and Wickham.

Bob Jordan, parish councillor at Compton and Shawford, with responsibility for planning, expressed surprise and said he understood the data may be out of date. He said he understood the council planning department had been receiving calls from the public.

Mr Jordan he said he would walk around the Compton Street area to check the current situation.

The city council was asked to comment last week but had not responded at the time of going to press. Likewise Heritage England had not responded.

Among the buildings at risk are the medieval Merdon Castle, Hursley; Brambridge House, Brambridge; and the 19th century Holy Trinity church in Winchester which is in poor and worsening condition.

Prehistoric barrows and features, at Corhampton, Micheldever, Wonston are declining because of ploughing.