A “remarkable” piece of London’s industrial heritage could be lost as Historic England revealed 45 more buildings and monuments in the capital have been added to its at risk register.
The Grade II* listed gasholder at Fulham Gasworks dates from 1830 but is now overgrown and “deteriorating” according to the public body charged with looking after historic monuments.
They say the structure, believed to be the oldest surviving example of its type in the world, is “a remarkable feat in design” which broke “new ground” when it was built.
Also under threat is a “distinctive” tower and chimney built in Limehouse Basin in 1869 as part of the expansion of what was then the Regent’s Canal Dock.
The report says the tower, which was “a key component of this busy industrial area on the banks of the Thames”, now suffers from water damage, is overgrown and covered in graffiti.
They are among 45 sites added to the register in London this year which now totals 683 buildings and monuments including 87 places of worship, 10 parks and gardens and hundreds of listed buildings.
Historic England’s Liz Whitbourn said: “This year has seen both successes and challenges for Heritage at Risk in London. Although we have added a variety of sites to the Register, 42 have been saved this year thanks to dedicated trusts, councils and volunteers.
“Two years ago we revealed that 80% of all commemorative monuments at risk nationally were in London. Ten of these have been removed from the Heritage at Risk Register this year but there is more work to do. If these are lost, then part of our city’s story is lost too, so we will continue to work closely with owners, volunteers and funding bodies to help safeguard London’s most precious historic sites.”
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