We last reported in March 2025 on progress with the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) project at West Norwood Cemetery and on other issues. The objectives of the NHLF project were to conserve the Cemetery’s magnificent landscape and built structures, as well as offer new experiences and facilities to increase community use. Following a meeting of the cemetery Strategic Partnership Board (SPB) on 8 October 2025 we can now provide an update on the project and other issues.
Robson Road entrance
The capital works team reported the start of works to provide the entrance and further slippage to the programme and completion date, but the team was not represented at the meeting. Subsequently, the council published a report which has approved the letting of the contract to WC Evans and Sons. This approved decision has a construction start date of November (but no works had started on site as of today 1 December) and a completion date of April 2026 (this is slippage of a further 11 months from our last report back in spring 2025). We have raised a number of concerns with the Cabinet Member and at the time of writing these issues are still being considered. Outside of the capital project itself there are a number of peripheral issues that need to be addressed before the gate can be opened and we have no target date on that.
We remain frustrated at these continuing and unexplained delays and lack of tangible progress. We hope though that resolution is in sight so this top priority project for the local community can be completed and opened for everyone’s use. It will provide much-improved access and enable visits to and journeys through the grounds, as well as provide easier out of hours access for events held at the nearby St. Stephen’s Chapel.
We will report further once we have an update. The next SPB meeting is scheduled for 14 January 2026 (from 6pm) and will be held in the Visitor Centre at the Cemetery; all are welcome to attend.
St. Stephen's Chapel and the Hellenic enclosure
A number of opening and test events have now been held during the opening period, including over the opening weekend in June. The Chapel is available now for letting. A successful family event was held for the Anglo-Greek community, and a Hellenic support group is being developed to support further investment in the Hellenic Enclosure. There are Christmas in the Chapel events coming up (limited tickets are available at the time of writing):
An early Christmas matinée with the West Norwood and Crystal Palace Community Choirs: Saturday 6 December 2025 (2pm-4pm). Tickets here.
Live acoustic music with Mercury Prize nominated Sam Lee and the exuberant trio Gavin Fairhall Lever: Sunday 7 December 2025 (3pm-5pm). Tickets here.
14 “heritage at risk” monuments
These works have been largely completed and are within the snagging period. However, the plan for renovation works to the George Dodd monument has yet to be presented for approval and subsistence of the Thomas Ibbotson monument is still under investigation. St. Stephen’s Chapel, the Dodd Monument and the Catacombs all remain on the Heritage England’s Heritage At Risk Register.
Visitor Centre
The visitor centre is typically open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (12noon – 3pm) but please check the website and onsite notice boards for up to date information. The ground floor spaces available for public hire will be on the hire.lambeth website shortly.
Hubbard Road entrance
The entrance has been open since July and is being used by an increasing number of local people. There is a small temporary ramp to provide full access at this gate. We have no news on the planned permanent highway works.
Drainage and paths
Various cracks and areas of subsistence have been reported over the past nine months. This is especially concerning with the road above and below St. Stephen’s Chapel, where the surface is becoming a health and safety hazard for all users.
Memorial benches
It was recognised that there is a growing shortage of benches around the Cemetery as Memorial benches reaching the end of their use and those placed illegally on graves are removed. A new Memorial Bench scheme is to be considered at the next SPB meeting.
Memorial tree policy
The policy whereby flowering fruit trees have been removed over a number of years was discussed. It is understood that the scheme has now ended, and no further trees will be removed though some still have warning signs about possible removal. A future tree policy is to be considered.
Other issues
Access guide: the Council is liaising with AccessAble to develop an access guide for the Cemetery.
Memorial restoration work: through consideration of schemes operating elsewhere, a scheme is to be developed to enable non-grave owners to undertake work to memorials.
Filming policy: the Cemetery has a bespoke policy, which is now out of date. A revised scheme is to be worked up for consideration at a future meeting.
