Buildings At Risk

Flint Lined Georgian Garden Tunnel, at Ingress Park, behind Ingress Abbey

IS THIS THE MOST AT RISK BUILDING IN DARTFORD AND GRAVESEND?

This flint lined Georgian Garden Tunnel has now been placed on the Trusts Building at Risk register because of Crest's plans to block up the ends and bury it. Crest are penny pinching with the restoration of this folly. The Trust originally campaigned successfully to have this listed and restored but the Crest representative on site decided against it in an attempt to prove you can make a sows ear out of a silk purse. The Trust wishes to see this tunnel opened up at both ends but gated off so as the public can look into the tunnel but not gain access for health and safety reasons due to the potential for falling chalk through the years. The Trust see this Grade2 listed folly as vitally important to the 18th century landscaped park that is currently being restored, the entrance is set in a dramatic cliff landscape and could possibly have been designed by Sir William Chambers or Capability Brown, to lose it would be a folly in itself.

Are you outraged at Crests insensitive treatment of this very rare and important Garden Tunnel, if so visit the How You Can Help page.

40 High Street Northfleet

A Listed character building on the main road through Northfleet that desperately needs to be bought back into use to ensure it's long term survival. The building was built as a factory club by Thomas Bevan and opened on the 31st July 1878. Prior to 1945 this building was open to the public and was the cultural centre of Northfleet with a swimming pool, sports facilities, games rooms, a library , two halls and used by local societies for their HQs.

No. 1 London Road, Northfleet + Gates
Under threat as it is a large corner plot ripe for development, fortunately it has now been included in The Hill Conservation Area and this should lead to a sensitive treatment to the site, the most obvious reuse would be to convert it back into a house well hears hoping.

Baldwyns Mansion, Bexley Hospital site
The Trust has had reassurances from Dartford Borough Council that that this fine building will be restored as part of the Bexley Hospital housing development as part of a planning condition for the site, as you can see the building has been adequately protected from further deterioration and vandalism. The Trust looks forward to seeing the restoration proposals.

East Hill CA
These two small character buildings are situated on East Hill and are part of the Dartford Town Centre Conservation Area, one of them was an old forge and the other until recently was used as an antique/junk shop. Recently they have had their roofs removed, further information has been requested for the future of these buildings, the concern being that they will be removed and a new building needlessly put in their place.

Ebbsfleet Roman Villa
Uncovered as part of the archaeological digs for the Ebbsfleet International Train Station, no information is available as to the long term treatment of these structures.

Filborough Granary
The Granary is a story of long term neglect mirrored by its neighbour the recently restored Filborough Barn. The Granary is a smaller building and does not lend itself easily to any conversion schemes. Fortunately a roof has now been put on to arrest the decay, but the Trust is not aware of any plans for a total restoration.

No. 39 Harmer Street
Long story of neglect, this fine building is part of a very grand terrace and is in desperate need of some attention.

Gatehouse at Ingress
Unfortunately even though the Trust secured the future of all the Listed Structures at Ingress Park, Greenhithe the Gatehouse is still blighted due to the Fast Track Public Transport Route. It is frustrating because if KCC and DBC had forward planned the route considering the historic elements of the site this blighting could have been avoided and the Gatehouse would now be restored.

The Old Police Lockup
It is envisaged that the Lockup will be restored as part of the West Hill Hospital sites redevelopment.

Jolly Miller
The Jolly Miller has been part of a very slow redevelopment of the lower part of East Hill Dartford, it has been subject to arson attacks and is due to have what the Trust considered an overbearing development to its rear. Time will tell.

Lansdowne Square, Pier Road
A long standing area of decline, Lansdowne Square is in desperate need of regeneration. Situated on the banks of the Thames this area has a huge amount of potential.

Neptune Cottages and Old Village Hall
Original plans for this site proposed demolition of the Old Village Hall and Neptune Cottages this was supported by the council planning officer, the Trust successfully argued that the buildings were key character buildings in the Conservation Area and shouldn’t be demolished.

St Johns Hall
The Trust has put forward proposals that the Hall be redeveloped into two large houses with basement parking, this will unlock the impasse at the moment and solve the parking problem the council and the current owner are faced with.

Territorial Army Barracks
Large plot ripe for development not too sure what the future holds, the Trust will however encourage the retention of the Barracks.

The Plough
Long term blight as it was originally proposed to demolish the Cottage to make way for a pub car park.

Stone War Memorial

Fell out of use a long time ago due to, it is presumed, the close proximity of a chalk quarry. This quarry has since been filled in and this memorial is due a facelift.

Of Interest

Water Tower
Would make interesting Penthouse flats.

Lighthouse
A fascinating little lighthouse on the River Thames at Northfleet, can anyone help in research to find out more, this will help ensure its future.

Bevan's War Memorial Northfleet

A uniquely individual war memorial near the riverfront at Northfleet