Coquet Island no longer ‘at risk’
The remains of a monastic cell and a medieval tower on Coquet Island have been removed from the Heritage at Risk register after repairs and a grant of £93,000 from English Heritage.
Coquet Island is an RSPB reserve and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, with populations of breeding birds including the protected Roseate Terns. The work to the scheduled monument and listed buildings included urgent stone repairs to the remains of the medieval monastic range and the medieval tower beneath the lighthouse. The team used the repairs as a chance to train students in traditional heritage skills such as working with lime mortar and masonry.
The project was ‘highly commended’ in the building conservation category of the North East RICS Renaissance awards in 2014. The site is one of 17 in Northumberland no longer on English Heritage’s at risk register.
