THE Government’s conservation body, English Heritage, has included Liverpool’s historic Stanley Dock in a new list of the country’s most endangered industrial buildings.

The dock area, which includes the Grade II listed tobacco warehouse and makes up a large proportion of the city’s Unesco World Heritage site, is among a number of key industrial sites at risk of neglect and decay, according to English Heritage.

Planning permission for a £120m scheme that would have seen the site transformed into more than 900 apartments, offices and leisure facilities was granted by Liverpool city council back in 2008, but no work has taken place.

A revised application by Stanley Dock Properties for the tobacco warehouse to be converted into apartments for short-term lettings has now been submitted to the city council. The plans also include restaurants, bars, commercial office floor space, and an internal multi-level car park. The new application was put in because the earlier planning consent was due to lapse in December.

English Heritage said that listed industrial buildings were more at risk than almost any other kind of historic site.

Chief executive Simon Thurley said action was needed to save what he called the “world’s most important industrial heritage”.

The decision to focus on industrial heritage is backed by a poll of public attitudes, which revealed that 86% believed it was important to value and appreciate buildings such as mills and collieries, and 80% thought they were as important as country houses and castles.

Dr Thurley said there were many reasons for people to be passionate about industrial heritage. He added: “Part of it is family ties, there are so many people whose families have been involved in these industries.

“Many of the buildings are extremely prominent in their locations, such as big chimneys or big buildings, and people acquire affection for things around them.”

The distinctive tobacco warehouse at Stanley Dock is the world’s largest brick warehouse.