Jump to content

Recommended Posts

It is a shame that this local piece of community social history is being wiped out.


Not sure if this will be helpful, but I came across this recently and thought about posting here if folks want to do something. It looks like two wings have already gone. Considering the history of the site, why don't local schools/groups use it?


(Poorhouses, History of Nursing, WWII Hospital, History of NHS, and probably more).


It would be great as a learning centre for local history.





Have you noticed an abandoned and derelict Victorian building near you? Are you worried a beautiful Victorian building is going to be demolished? Send the details to [email protected] for a chance for it to be featured in our Top 10 Most Endangered Buildings Campaign.

Here is the Planning Information from Southwark's Website


https://planning.southwark.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?previousCaseType=Property&keyVal=_STHWR_DCAPR_9567474&previousCaseNumber=_STHWR_PROPLPI_130332_1&previousCaseUprn=200003468663&activeTab=summary&previousKeyVal=_STHWR_PROPLPI_130332_1


Captain Marvel Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> 'It is, of course, a lovely building, and would

> still be fit for many purposes'

>

> Exactly. Some things just need preserving for

> their own sake. In East Dulwich, there are

> precious few old buildings and one of them is to

> be levelled without so much as a whimper

>

> Pulling that down is vandalism and demonstrates

> the same poverty of imagination that permits the

> construction of identikit flats all over the

> borough

Completely agree that the site should not sit derelict and it is wonderful that a school and health facility are to be located on a site where public services were offered to the most needy in years past. The issue is more about preserving the social and architectural heritage of the site. Reading about the planning, it seems the most economical and expedient options were considered in the final decision and historical or social interest was not. Complete demolition of the site is a final erasure of the site's legacy as a social resource for the most vulnerable: the poor, sick, war veterans, maternal health, and the early NHS.


There are also other grant making bodies which could help:


https://heritageoflondon.org/projects/#ourgrantscheme

sand12 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> The issue is more about preserving the social and architectural heritage of the site.


But there will be a new health centre on the site. So surely it's purely an architectural argument, right?


I do wonder what people think the building should actually be used for..

sand12 Wrote:


> ....Complete demolition of the site

> is a final erasure of the site's legacy as a

> social resource for the most vulnerable: the poor,

> sick, war veterans, maternal health, and the early

> NHS.

>


As was made clear in earlier posts it is not being completely demolished. The central "chateaux" will be incorporated within the school buildings. See link to PDF's.


GIYF


https://www.southwark.gov.uk/assets/attach/3059/public_consultation_a1_.compressed.pdf


https://www.southwark.gov.uk/assets/attach/3063/Public_Consultation_Boards_low_res_Part3.pdf

Captain Marvel Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I gather you're no fan of monolithic Victorian

> architecture Fish

>

> Perhaps then you appreciate the irony of knocking

> down a hospital wing to build a health centre


I think it's a lovely looking building... I do appreciate it. But I'm also a pragmatist, and I'm still wondering what the building, if preserved, could actually be used for.


Surely it has already been established that it's not viable as a hospital/health centre.

It has and I know I'm flogging a dead horse here but what does 'viable' mean?


I think in this context it means a bit expensive to repurpose


It's one of the last remaining Victorian edifices in the whole area and I reckon it would have been worth a few quid to retain it.


And in response to your 'bit of tarmac' comment on the previous page, the council resurfaced and paved the whole of Court Lane completely unnecessarily. The machines were down there for months. I'd love to know how much that cost

Captain Marvel Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> It has and I know I'm flogging a dead horse here but what does 'viable' mean?


It's a good question... I am probably a bit out of my depth knowledge-wise. But even in the best case scenario, it can be difficult and expensive to retrofit old buildings to modern standards, in terms of infrastructure, utilities, accessibility, thermal efficiency, structural integrity. James Barber stated that it's of poor quality construction, with single-brick thickness (even the Victorian houses round here, which are of terrible construction quality, have double-brick construction on the side walls). We have no reason to doubt this. It would probably need a brand new steel "skeleton" for starters, somehow slotted inside the existing walls.


So basically... it means it's too expensive to do. Totally unjustifiable under NHS budget. Would it get English Heritage funding? Of course not. Would the private sector take it on? Not if redevelopment would be more expensive than a new-build!!


Captain Marvel Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> And in response to your 'bit of tarmac' comment on

> the previous page, the council resurfaced and

> paved the whole of Court Lane completely

> unnecessarily.


Yes... we've all heard stories of councils re-surfacing roads to use up their budget (in fear of having it reduced if they don't spend it). Maybe it's true, I don't know. Resurfacing a long road like Court Ln will obviously be expensive. I've heard a figure of ?25 per sqm. So maybe... 25x8x1000 = ?200K, just for the road surfacing (not the paving)??? James Barber would know, I'm sure.


But I don't think it would be even vaguely comparable to the costs needed to bring that hospital building into the 21st century.

As someone who works in the hospital fairly regularly, I can tell you it is NOT fit for purpose for any healthcare facilities these days. I can only imagine the cost to renovate it would be astronomical. In the summer the rooms are so hot you have to have windows fully open, the clinical rooms are tiny, the water supply is erratic...

It is a shame that it is not being preserved as I do agree it is a lovely building.

HOwever I would guess only about 5-10% of it is being used currently. The new buildings will hold a junior school/main school and a fit for purpose healthcare centre.

I don't think Seldoc will be there though.

  • 6 months later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
  • Latest Discussions

    • Our cellar was damp constantly and we were told that there were many underground streams in Dulwich (which eventually end up in the river in Belair Park),  Agree it is connected  to the water table. We had all old plaster removed from walls and replastered, 
    • Andy did a good job for me doing up a flat - bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen for a very reasonable rate. He’s a top notch painter and decorator and can turn his hand to many other trades too. I’d highly recommend him - nothing was too much trouble.
    • A ramp would not be suitable for Love Dulwich. Gradient would be too steep, also length of ramp would go into road. We considered a ramp in the house to get down 2 steps (internal) but an OT who measured said we would need a clear space of around 9 feet plus because of the height of steps.
    • Over the past few months, Jan from Silver Fern Landscapes has completed several projects for us.  (He was recommended by a neighbour.)  We have been very pleased with his work.  Some details are below: Built and replaced several trellis fence panels.  In one part it was very complicated due to a large vine that had grown into/around the trellis.  He was able to save the vine, having unpicked it from the old trellis and then securing it to the new.  The vine went into a bit of shock, but is now thriving. Repaired the top frame to our garden side-return door, replacing rotten wood, and repainting the new to match. Repaired the loose tiles in our front walkway Along the way, during his visits, Jan also gave advice on various topics, such as how to best care for: our recently re-planted lawn, a tree that lost a large branch, and the vine mentioned above.  His working style is straight forward...he shows up when he says he will, discusses what needs to be done, provides timely quotes, completes the work as agreed, and sends an invoice. No drama, no hassle.  We will definitely be calling on Jan again when future garden-related projects arise! silverfernlondon.co.uk/silver_fern_landscapes.html
Home
Events
Sign In

Sign In



Or sign in with one of these services

Search
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...