Member

As Heritage Minister in the last Government, I had the great pleasure of seeing many such examples and joining enterprising organisations such as the Arch Company and the Railway Heritage Trust at projects including the old stationmaster’s house at Denmark Hill in Camberwell. That grade 2 listed building, designed by the leading Victorian railway architect Charles Henry Driver in the 1860s, was, sadly, damaged by a fire in 1980, along with the rest of the station. Most of the station building was restored, including what is now the aptly named Phoenix public house—it rose from the ashes, with brilliant support from the Camberwell Society—but the former stationmaster’s house lay derelict for 43 years and was put on Historic England’s heritage at-risk register. Now, I am glad to say, after a £320,000 refurbishment, including a £44,000 grant from the Railway Heritage Trust, it is a thriving coffeeshop, employing local people and serving what I must say are delicious pastries.