Once again we have made a written request to the Secretary of State to intervene to help save this important building at the heart of Hamlet Court Road. The building, seriously fire damaged in the spring of 2023, lost its roof and is open to the elements. Now the third winter is approaching and if the building is left open our concern is that irreparable damage will take place to the structure and the building could be lost.
This would be nothing less than catastrophic for Hamlet Court Road and local conservation.
The Secretary of State can make a direction that would enable the local authority to intervene, for example by erecting a tin hat (temporary roof) scaffold. This would provide a basic level of protection. Similarly any urgent bracing could be provided. The law provides for costs arising in this regard to be reclaimed from the building owner but it first requires the Secretary of State to grant that this can happen in a conservation area.
We await hearing from the government but will continue to do what we can to help protect this building.
October 2025