Listed Buildings and Lambeth Tunnel at Seething Wells
Identification of subterranean
features: featuring the Lambeth Tunnel
Listed buildings, structures and
tunnels.
All the significant buildings at
Seething Wells are ‘listed’: the Nuffield Pumping Station; and Chelsea and
Lambeth coal stores; the attached
tunnels and conduits; and perhaps even the suction wells are listed by default,
no matter what their architectural merit. Steps were taken to remediate
‘listing oversights’ and applications were made to English Heritage (March, 2002).
This included the Lambeth uncovered coalstore, associated tunnel beneath the Portsmouth Road and
its demolished portal. This was granted August, 2002. Once the ‘water was
tested’, applications were made (Jan, 2003) for inclusion in the statutory list
apropos: Lambeth District offices and
stores building (which sits atop the Lambeth Tunnel); the Lambeth Muniments
Building and the small
pumping station on the wharf.
Grade 11 listing was granted in
October 2003 having been judged to be buildings of special historic interest.
This did not include the small pumping station on the wharf as it …had been
disfigured by the insertion of twentieth century doorways and too much
inappropriate refurbishment had been carried out [sic]. It lacked the ‘group value’ afforded by buildings south
eastern side of the Portsmouth Road
although it remains a Building
of Townscape merit.
(BTM).
Lambeth Tunnel
The two coal tunnels either side of
the conduit are therefore protected by their attachment to listed buildings.
This was ruled on by the Inspector at the Sainsbury’s Public Inquiry although
was too late for the Lambeth Tunnel Portal, partially demolished during the
period between the Sainsbury’s Inquiry and 2000. This is located a few metres
from the borough boundary, under an ever-growing cotoneaster bush, just outside
the inner fencing. Contract drawings at Thames Waters HQ in Reading reveal limited detail on the subterranean
features so perhaps one of the best journeys along the tunnel can be seen:
Lambeth Tunnel Portal marked by the cotoneaster bush |
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