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by
JOE LEPPER joe.lepper@argus-btn.co.uk
G
e n e r a t i n g i n t e r e s t
TO
LOOK at Nelson Kruschandl's ramshackle and rundown
office you would never guess it was once the most
important building in town. The Inventor,
from Herstmonceux, near Hailsham, has been using
the office 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 hides one of
Britain's earliest and last remaining electric
power houses. Back in the Victorian era the
building was the heart of the town, powering the
street lighting and homes for miles around.
Since the discovery he has fought to gain the
recognition the building deserves as a historic
monument.
He
has had bids for listed status turned down, as
well as unsuccessful planning applications to make
it an education center as many did not believe its
past. But now, at last, his dream to
renovate his historic office looks set to come
true.
He
has had its status confirmed by English
Heritage, which added it to its Monument
Protection Programme for protected buildings.
And local councillors have now decided to rethink
their decision on converting the property.
Nelson, 44, who also lives in Herstmonceux, said:
"it's been a struggle to get recognition but
it looks like that has now happened.
GENERATOR
"I
have now also had it confirmed that this is the
only remaining generator
that used to power a whole village."
Built in 1888, the building called the Old Steam
House, was developed by a wealthy landowner in the
village called Baron de Romer for his own use.
It was bought by a local electricity company
during the Edwardian
era and remained in use until the 1930s, when the
national grid took over.
Nelson
said: "Then the technology was all so early
and lights used to flicker in time with the
engine. I try and imagine what that must
have been like for the people then."
For Nelson the discovery is also of great
importance as he mainly designs and builds
electrical creations.
At
the side of one of Britain's electrical
masterpieces lies one of the country's latest, as
Nelson is busy building what he hopes will be the
worlds fastest electric
car. He hopes the 22ft long, 400 horse-power
contraption will reach speeds of more than 350mph
and is considering testing it as early as March.
Members of Wealden District Council planning
committee plan to make a decision
on the future of the building next month.
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