A rare wooden bus shelter between Dulwich and Gipsy Hill is among thousands of Southwark landmarks that have been awarded better protection against demolition.
That’s because Southwark Council has approved its ‘Local List’ – a collection of 2,449 structures and buildings including pubs, former factories and schools.
The list means heritage assets that don’t meet the criteria for national listing – such as Grade I or II – are recognised for their “localised merit”.
The list includes the bus shelter on South Croxted Road between Dulwich and Gipsy Hill.
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Built by members of the community, commuters are often grateful that they can shelter under its expansive rustic canopy.
Over 70 people nominated it for local listing, with one member of the public commenting: “The lovely wooden bus shelter only exists as a local resident gave up their garden to support the wider schools and housing expansion in this area.
“There used to be two matching wooden shelters here, and this one survives. There are now only a handful of original wooden bus shelters in South London, and this may be the only one in Southwark.
“The local community and Dulwich Society secured funding to maintain in 2015. It has a local plaque installed to explain its local history.”
The Old Mill building on Copeland Road, Peckham, received the highest number of nominations from local people with 153.
Built in the 1870s to manufacture British wine, it has a striking presence and is characterised by the red brickwork often seen in Victorian industrial architecture.
Community Outreach Ministries restored the building to use as their church and for other community events.
One commenter said: “The Old Mill building is large and robust, with a handsome, plain exterior in stock brick, and tiled roof with unusual semi-hipped gables to west and east ends.
“Against the industrial massing of the building, there are restrained elements of decoration to the exterior elevations.”
The Brandon Estate and its surrounding green landscape were also nominated by local people.
Built in 1958 by the London County Council, the estate has a mix of lower buildings, a square, and six 18-storey towers – the tallest in London at the time.
One commenter said the reasons why the Brandon Estate deserved nomination included: “Compact and well-designed plans which mean that each flat in the tower has [an] elongated balcony provision with great views and access to outdoor space.”
Another commenter wrote: “Public art used to bring a sense of place – sculpture by Henry Moore, the Wooley [sic] mammoth and other mosaic pieces on external walls including the Jack Hobbs Centre.”
The Local List got approval from the council’s Cabinet on Tuesday 5 November, subject to call-in.