The greatest risk to any building is not having a use. It will soon fall into disrepair. The former Cornish Works factory, in Sheffield, is a good example of this. As you can see from the photos, it is now in a perilous state of disrepair, with some parts having collapsed and others at risk of doing so. There is widespread excessive moisture, wet and dry rot, structural distress, asbestos and unsafe floors, walls and roofing. These buildings pose many dilemmas of building conservation philosophy and there will need to be some compromises with the next stage of its life. Fortunately, this building has new owners who want to see it properly repaired and given a new life once again.
