What might be termed ‘The Heineken Effect’ has recently become apparent in various parts of Dulwich. Translated, it means that those parts of Dulwich which have had pressure exerted by the Dulwich Society are indeed being revived.
You will read elsewhere in this issue about some of these efforts and the good news attached to them. The fact that many of the improvements are at Dulwich’s extremities is therefore faithful to the object of the Society which is to foster and preserve the amenities of all of Dulwich as well as to the message of the original advertisement.
Among the improvements are some listed buildings. These are being preserved through the Society’s efforts despite such action being lamentably low on the local authorities list of priorities. A particular extremity of Dulwich - the junction of Dulwich Common (South Circular) and Lordship Lane is especially disgraceful; indeed the area might even be described as a typical example of urban blight. The deplorable appearance to the entrance of the Streatham & Marlborough ground opposite the Grove Tavern is one example. This has, potentially, one of the most beautiful aspects in London, with the sweep of greensward rising to meet trees of Dulwich woods. Mention has already been made in these columns about the state of the fencing, the unsightly containers and the heaps of rubbish. The Society already has brought the matter to the attention of the Dulwich Estate which leases the land to the club. Around the corner are the debris littered grounds of St Peter’s and its hall. Both are listed Grade 11 buildings and for years the hall has been clad in scaffolding and had an ugly and unofficial wooden canopy put over its entrance. Opposite the church stands what was once a charming Gothic styled villa which has been allowed to sink into total dereliction. Again, the Dulwich Society has campaigned on each of these abominations.
The ‘Heineken ‘comparison in this potentially attractive corner of Dulwich is that some things have started to revive. The long -neglected War Memorial to the Dulwich Volunteer Battalion in the grounds of St Peter’s has been restored. You will read in this issue that the Victorian villa has been compulsorily purchased by Southwark Council and will also be restored. The Society is trying to work with the cricket club to see if the Dulwich Community Council will allocate any funds to replacing the fencing and the club has agreed to re-site and paint the metal container in an unobtrusive dark green colour.
This still leaves the matter of St Peter’s. It is clear that there is no individual or department at Southwark Council which has the day to day responsibility for the borough’s listed buildings, despite Southwark being one of London’s most historic boroughs with a large number listed buildings, of which, incidentally, Dulwich has almost one hundred. St Peter’s was served with a Notice years ago by Southwark to restore its hall. Like the owner of the Victorian villa, it failed to do so. Enforcement must be carried out and Southwark Council held to account that this is done.
