St Pancras Old Church [Geoff Henson]

CHURCHES across Camden are in such poor condition they are in danger of collapse and would need millions to restore, a new report from Historic England reveals.

The conservation group’s annual At Risk register highlights listed buildings across the UK that are in a poor state of repair, and Camden contains 14 listed churches in peril.

Historic England’s Simon Buteux said: “The biggest single item on the register are churches. They are very difficult to maintain. They are costly to look after, [and] often have expensive issues concerning their roofs and towers. Churches stand out on our register, as do a lot of other former public buildings. Camden has a really big problem with the number of churches at risk.”

The vast majority are under the ownership of the Church of England, and Historic England help the body liaise with possible grant funders, such as the Heritage Lottery scheme.

The buildings on the updated list include such well-known churches as St Michael’s in Camden Town, the deconsecrated St Stephen’s Church in South End Green, St Mary the Virgin in Somers Town, and St Pancras Old Church in Pancras Road.

Mr Buteux said: “Many churches have an issue with falling congregations and changes to the demography.
“This in the first place creates challenges looking after a historic building. It means thinking about how the church can be used in the future. They are an important part of the landscape in Camden and we need to find new uses and new ways of looking after churches. It is not easy.”

Other landmarks on the list in need of restoration include the council-owned Spaniards Lane toll booth in Hampstead, a wall surrounding St George’s Gardens in Fitzrovia, a Victorian workhouse in Cleveland Street, also found in Fitzrovia, and drinking fountains dotted across the borough.

Mr Buteux said: “There are two drinking fountains in Chalk Farm we are trying to get back into use. Fountains are very relevant for the times. There are a lot of Victorian fountains no longer working and we need to conserve them – and get them back flowing again.

“It will help reduce the amount of plastic bottles bought – we are working to get them functioning. Little works like this are important – they improve an area, [and] they give people pride in their neighbourhood.”

But there is some good news this year: the number of listed buildings at risk has fallen, dipping below 600 for the first time in years. In London, 41 buildings were removed and 10 added.

Mr Buteux said: “It is a step in the right direction. There is all sorts of help available and lots of things that can be done to help at-risk buildings in private ownership.”