THE long-awaiting regeneration of Coalhouse Fort in East Tilbury has taken another step forward with confirmation that Historic England's Capacity Building Grant Programme will pump £10,000 into the project.

That comes on top of £236,500 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which was announced in June last year, to help secure the long-term future of landmark Scheduled Monument site which is on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.

Coalhouse Fort is owned by Thurrock Council and has been closed to the public since 2020. 

The cash from the Lottery Heritage Fund has enabled establishment of a team of experts to drive the project forward.

Leading the development of a strategic masterplan for the fort is East Tilbury resident Scott Sullivan, a chartered town planner with a penchant for historic buildings.

He has raised £17.2M in funding for clients, with £11.5M of that total in South Essex – most recently securing £4.6M towards the Grade II* Tilbury Riverside Station.

He was also responsible for the last major Heritage Fund investment at Coalhouse Fort, establishing the current café and toilets.

Roger Mears Architects has won the design tender. They will provide technical expertise to direct site investigation work. Their examinations will inform detailed planning and costs for early-phase priorities such as the casemates (fortified gun emplacements), gatehouse and parade ground, while shaping longer-term site-wide development.

Ecology consultants, Apem Ltd will undertake specialist bat and Barn Owl surveys to support upcoming activities.

Ceade Ltd will develop and deliver the project's evaluation plan, setting out how the team will measure outcomes, track progress, and understand the project's impact for the community and heritage sector.

Marketing and communications support has been awarded to Colchester-based Big Wave PR. The project also now has a Community Engagement Officer.

Mr Sullivan and colleagues will work closely with the advisory group established by Thurrock Council.

Among the advisory group members are Cllr John Kent, portfolio holder for sustainability, arts, culture and heritage; East Tilbury councillor Fraser Massey; retired professional design engineer Allen Jones; Thurrock Museum project curator Kevin Diver; Lucy Emma Harris who is a director of Tilbury on the Thames Trust and community engagement manager at the Port of Tilbury; and Neil Woodbridge and David Reynolds from Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions.

The latest investment will support essential project foundations, such as the recruitment and training of volunteers. 

The funds will also assist the development of a business plan and long term funding strategy, plus establish a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

Cllr Kent says: "This latest investment from Historic England marks another major step forward for Coalhouse Fort. 

"It gives us the tools, expertise and capacity we need to protect this extraordinary landmark and bring it back into meaningful use for our communities.

"The work now underway lays strong foundations for a sustainable future; one that honours its heritage while creating new opportunities for culture, learning and engagement."

Tony Calladine, East of England Regional Director for Historic England, added: "We're pleased to add further support for the rejuvenation of Coalhouse Fort with this Capacity Building Grant to support the development of the Reanimating Coalhouse Fort project and getting local people involved in creating a future life for this important community landmark."