Historic England, a public body responsible for protecting England’s historic environment, added 26 London historical sites to its At-Risk register in November.  

It included two Grade I listed buildings – Charlton House and St John’s Smith Square Concert Hall – to the register of historic buildings in deteriorating state and in need of preservation. 

Charlton House was one of the nine sites in “very bad condition,” facing threat to their structural and historical value due to decay, neglect, and inappropriate development.  

The roof of the Jacobean house, built 400 years ago, has deteriorated, allowing water to penetrate through the walls and damage the interiors.  

At Risk Register also recommended upgrading the maintenance services at Charlton House, which currently serves as a venue for exhibition, events, café, and private hiring.  

The CEO of Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust, Janet Denne said, “We are pleased that Historic England have recognised its significance, and we plan to work with them to improve the situation. Our aim is to secure the House for generations to come.” 

The building has been categorized ‘A’ at an “immediate risk of further rapid deterioration,” without any agreed solution to preserve the place from environmental impact.  

Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust is collaborating with Historic England to secure funding to repair the damages.  

The trust released the cost of repairing the damages would be £2 million. 

It previously partnered with Historic England in 2023 to secure funding for development of its Garden House, which is in “fair condition” now but faces threat of vacancy.  

At-Risk Register declared Smith Square Hall, formerly known as St John’s Smith Square Concert Hall, to be in “poor condition,” due to structural movement causing spalling, fractures, and gaps in the masonry.  

The hall is categorized under priority ‘C’ undergoing a “slow decay.” 

 The orchestra Southbank Sinfonia, which merged with St John Smith Square in 2021, is formulating plans to repair the hall.  

Trent Park in Enfield, identified as highly vulnerable with a declining state, is the only site for which a strategy has been established.  

Other Grade II* listed buildings (of particular importance and more than special interest) included are Discotheque Royle, Church of St Michael in Hampstead, Church of St Giles in Uxbridge and Church of All Saints in Hounslow and Wandsworth.  

The programme identified 7 places of worship, 15 structures, 3 conservation areas, and a registered park and garden at the greatest risk across London, in need of safeguarding measures.  

It removed 25 historic places of London from the list due to their improved status.  

The repaired structures included Grade I listed building of Holland House in Kensington and Chelsea, and Grade II* sites like Hornsey Town Hall in Haringey and St Pancras Old Church in Camden.