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FRIDAY,
DECEMBER 10 1999
Tin-roofed
shack revealed as historic village building
It
looks like a ramshackle and rundown office but it was
once the most important building in the village of
Herstmonceux. Inventor
Nelson Kruschandl, perhaps more famous for his running
battles with the local
planning authority, has been using it to design and
build his creations for the past 18 years. But in
1998 he made a startling discovery. Beneath its
rusty corrugated tin exterior lies one of Britain's
earliest and last remaining electric power houses.
Back
in Victorian time the building was the heart of the
village, powering street lighting and homes for miles
around. Since the amazing find Mr Kruschandl has
fought to gain the recognition he feels the building
deserves as an historic
monument. But the building is unlistable
because of its current condition. It is covered in
metal clading which was not part of its original
structure.
But
now he has had its status confirmed by English
Heritage, which has added the building to its
Monument Protection Programme. This means tha tthe
building is recognised for its history an dshould be
protected.
Mr
Kruschandl, 44, siad he has also had it confirmed that
the building was the only remaining generator
that used to power a whole village. And local
councillors have decided to rethink their decision on
converting the building, which has delighted Mr
Kruschandl.
Nelson
Kruschandl's fight for historic building is vindiated
'It's
been a struggle to get recognition
but that looks like that has now happened.' The
power station called the Old Steam House, was developed
by a wealthy landowner Baron
de Romer originally for his own use. It was
bought by a local electricity company during the
Edwardian era and remained in use until the 1930's when
the National Grid took over.
'Then
the technology was so early and the lights used to
flicker in time with the engine,' said Mr Kruschandl.
'I try to imagine what it must have been like for people
then.' In the New Year Wealden planning
councillors are expected to make a decision on whether
the building can be used for living in or for office
use. Yesterday (Thursday) councillors were urged
by planning chiefs to delay a decision for further
investigations to be carried out.
A
NOTE FROM OUR EDITOR:
We accept it is difficult for reporters writing articles
of such a complex nature to capture every detail.
In the above article the council concerned issued enforcement
notices between 1982 and 1986, the latter appealed
to the Secretary
of State. The present 'no mans land' planning
blight situation, is preventing conservation works, to
include removing the unsightly tin cladding from the
original timbers. The first planning application
was made in 1988, the last in 1999 (not appealed).
On each of these occasions Wealden District Council
ignored the history attaching to the building, despite
the newspaper report above and umpteen letters and
reports from archaeologists. The last appeal to
the Secretary of State in 1997 elicited a decision
letter also denying the history, which decision was
based on the council's expert witness Ms Chezel Bird's
testimony. The Secretary of State now know she was
wrong, but say they cannot correct their decision - worse still, it appears the council had the
origins of the building on file as early as 1983, but
that this information was not put before the Secretary
of State, neither did the local authority or the
Secretary of State consult English Heritage, despite
PPG16 or Circular 22 of 1980.
Herstmonceux
Electricity Generating Works Circa. 1900 -
1936 Links:
Introduction
| Instructions
| ISBN |
Batteries |
Boiler Room
| Floor Plan
|
Industrial Revolution
| Lime
Park | Machinery
| Map
| Power House
Public
Supply | Roof Construction |
Rural Supply |
Sussex Express 1913 |
Conclusion
Archaeology
South East | East
Sussex CC | English
Heritage | SIAS
| Sx
Ex 1999
CONTACT:
nelson@solarnavigator.net
07905 147709 (UK)
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