Two at-risk buildings in London are to receive a combined £1.3 million as part of a Government scheme aiming to save listed sites.
The Greenhouse Centre, a Grade II* listed converted church in Westminster, and the Grade II listed St Mary’s Church in Camden are among 37 buildings across the country to benefit from the £15m Heritage at Risk Capital Fund.
Led by Historic England and backed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the fund focuses on sites which serve disadvantaged communities and are deemed to deliver benefits locally, such as job creation.
The funding for The Greenhouse Centre, which is on Cosway Street in Marylebone, will enable it to reopen as a community hub.
The centre is used by Greenhouse Sports, a youth charity supporting people in poverty through sports and mentoring.
The 200-year-old building requires upgrades including structurally reinforcing the main floor and installing new fire protection systems.
St Mary’s, part of the Parish of St Pancras and located on Eversholt Street, meanwhile is in-need of repairs to ensure it remains open to the community.
In a release, Historic England wrote the church has faced threats of closure and demolition, and that the funding will address work required on its western front, which is under protective scaffolding.
Further phases of restoration are expected to be developed to bring the building “back to its former glory for the benefit of the community”.
Louise Brennan, Director of Regions at Historic England, said: “Thanks to the extra funding from the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, we are able to breathe new life into neglected historic buildings that we haven’t been able to help through our existing grant schemes. This initiative will not only boost economic growth but also create amazing opportunities for people in some of the nation’s most disadvantaged areas. We’re thrilled to support projects that harness the power of heritage to make a real difference where it’s needed most.”
Heritage Minister, Baroness Twycross, said: “Our extraordinary heritage weaves together the stories that define who we are as communities and as a nation.
“We are delivering on our Plan for Change, through the Heritage at Risk Fund, by breathing new life into treasured places, buildings and monuments across the country, helping to increase opportunities and ensuring that future generations have access to our rich heritage.”
Ben Lynch is a Local Democracy Reporter covering the City of London, Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster, and Kensington and Chelsea. A former contributor to Harrow Online, he reports on local government, housing, planning, transport and issues affecting communities across London.
