Description: The impressive bulk of the Grade I listed St Stephen’s church on Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead, has been standing unused for almost 25 years.

Issue: It has arguably been London’s most infamous building at risk.

Strategy: Following numerous abortive restoration schemes the building was leased to the St Stephen’s Restoration and Preservation Trust in 1999. The first phase of repairs was completed by 2002-03 with local donations and an English Heritage grant. This included underpinning, a new floor structure and windows repaired and replaced. The second stage began mid 2007, aided by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Wolfson Foundation, and (at September 2010) is practically complete. The existing undercroft was extended to create space which is let to a school. This involved minimal changes to the historic fabric and plan of the building.

Outcome: It is a venue for the local community offering theatre, concerts, recitals, exhibitions, conferences and receptions, which will generate income towards continuing maintenance.