Borough's historic sites at risk - and the situation is getting worse says watchdog

By Neil Speight

7th Nov 2021 | Local News

EAST Tilbury has been identified as being in danger in the latest register of sites at risk identified by Historic England.

The register is the yearly health-check of England's most valued historic places and shows those most at risk of being lost forever.

East Tilbury is classified as a conservation area but the latest survey, which lists four other sites in Thurrock as being at risk, says its condition is 'very bad' and 'deteriorating'.

Also at risk is Coalhouse Fort.

The fort, which is classified as an ancient monument, which has been at the centre of something of a tug of war between two group of resident volunteers, is controlled by Thurrock Council which shut its doors in January 2020 and the site has basically been left to deteriorate and become overgrown.

In July this year Nub News reported on the continued dilapidation of the fort and the despair and anger among local residents who care about it.

Historic England has assessed the condition of the building a 'very bad' and has highlighted the failure of Thurrock Council to implement plans to improve the situation.

Also on the at risk list is the State cinema in Grays. The future of the listed building remains in doubt despite repeated assertions by the Wetherspoons pub chain that they plan to fulfil their commitment to restore and safeguard the building when they turn it onto a pub.

In March this year Nub News reported on local concerns about the state of the building and a renewed commitment by Wetherspoons that they still wanted to press ahead with plans.

And they successfully applied for an amended planning permission for the site in July.

Historic England rate the site's condition as very bad and again says it is concerned that planned improvements to the site have not been implemented.

Concern has also been expressed about the state of Belhus Park, another area largely in the hands of Thurrock Council. Historic England says the area is 'generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems'. It believes the 'vulnerability' of the area is high and adds: "The whole landscape requires a shared vision and strategy for restoration and improved management."

The fifth site in the borough which is believed to be at risk is the scheduled monument known as the Crop Mark Complex at Orsett which sits in a triangle of land bounded by Baker Street, Stifford Clays Road and the A13.

One of the threats to the monument has been the planned Lower Thames Crossing route.

Historic England says the management of the site is 'generally unsatisfactory with major localised problems.'

     

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