Success stories

Ingress Abbey (Greenhithe)

Saved from demolition after a long standing period of neglect by the then owners and restored as part of a large riverside development. The Trust lobbied hard for the retention of this fine building and for its restoration, at the time many thought it's restoration wouldn't be possible and thought demolition was the only option. How wrong they were, it is now restored and will be a source of pride for the residents of Greenhithe.

Area of Historic Park and landscaping at Ingress

After the original plans were approved for the development of the whole of the site by Dartford Borough Council, the Trust in consultation with the developer was able to convince the developer of the importance of keeping a sizable area of parkland as the setting of the follies. To the developers credit they have acted on this consultation and what would have been the plots for a large number of houses is now going to be a very scenic piece of historic landscaping. 

Neptune Cottages and the Old Village Hall (Greenhithe Village)

Saved from demolition after plans were put in for the demolition of these two character buildings in a Conservation Area.

(see also buildings at risk for pictures, although restoration works have been agreed they are not yet started).

The Follies at Ingress

The Cave of The Seven Heads

Lovers Arch

 

The Trust campaigned successfully to have Lovers Arch  listed and restored. This picture shows a view across the historic park currently being restored after campaigning by the Trust at the  back of the picture is Monkswell to the left and Lovers Arch to the right. Not in view in the picture is Ingress Abbey at the top of the bank to the right and the Grange barely visible to the top left of the picture.

Monkswell

The Grange

Set in the gardens to the South of Ingress Abbey, reputedly one of the largest folly arch's in Southern England. The Trust campaigned successfully to have this listed and restored. The entrance to the right is a 100metre dog leg tunnel with several chambers cut into the chalk. The Trust is currently pushing for this tunnel to have a certain amount of public access and for the entire folly to be lit in the summer months  at night. We have had no real commitment from the developer Crest on either of these at the moment but hears hoping. 

Flint Lined Georgian Garden Tunnel

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 foreman on site decided against it. 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.

The Grottoe

picture to follow

All of these rare follies had their futures secured after the Trust successfully applied for these follies to be spot Listed, this ensured their survival as part of the Ingress Park development. 

The model farm building at Ingress (previously referred to as a Lime Kiln) built into the cliffs at Ingress has had its future secured as a result of consultation with the developer and they again to their credit agreed to restore it and bring it into their scheme as a feature for public enjoyment.

picture to follow

The Folly at the rear of the Warren High Street Greenhithe

This two storey tower was under threat as it was unlisted on a large plot of potentially developable land, the Trust through its research was able to get it Listed Grade2 and it will now not suffer the same fate as its sister tower that was 50yards away on top of Eagles Cliff whose demolition was allowed as recently as the 1990s.

picture to follow

No. 1 Knockhall Road, Flint Cottage
This building after a long history of neglect was restored after publicity and pressure from the Trust both through the local press and lobbying the local council and the then owner at the time.

Filborough Barn
Finally restored after decades of neglect, this was after years of pressure from numerous individuals and the Trust.

The Town Pier, Gravesend

Back in 1996, at a time when the future of Gravesend Town Pier was uncertain with no ideas on any drawing boards, the Trust produced a concept drawing showing how the pier could be restored and brought back into use making the most of its architectural features. This vision has come to fruition with the marvelous restoration work being undertaken by Gravesham Borough Council after they adopted a similar scheme. This pier is thought to be the oldest cast iron pier in the world. Please drop the Trust an email if you know of any with a claim to be older.