This extract from Lambard’s "Perambulations of Kent"
is the oldest known record of a chemical factory in Britain.
History of the site.
In the years prior to 1882, the factory was mainly engaged in
the manufacture of Sulphuric Acid by a lead Chamber process
using crushed pyrites, a convenient source of Sulphur found on
the Island.
William Carr Stevens in 1882 purchased the old factory at
Queenborough started by Mr. Falconer, at this time known as
"Queenborough Chemical and Copperas Works". In
January, 1887 William formed a new company, "Sheppy Glue
& Chemical Works Ltd".
John William Stevens contunued the development of the
Chemical Works on the town side at Queenborough and in 1896
puchased more land to the south of the Chemical Works on the
other side of the creek. He called this Marsh Works and it was
later to be called Klondyke.
The marsh works was developed over many years and new
revolutionary production plants were built to manufactue
fertiliser, glue, fat, animal feeding meat and bone.
Situation
The property is located on the South side of the Queenborough
Town Quay in an Ancient Town on the Isle of Sheppy renowned for
its historic associations and fine period architecture including
the Parish Church and Town Hall and also it Naval History.
The M20 may be joined via the A249 and the Queenborough Train
Station has connections with London and the coast.
Now
To day the Stevens family has the chance to redeveloped the
Marsh Works for housing leaving a legacy to be proud of and for
future generations of the community to enjoy.
Despite the sites industrial past the contamination of years
of industrial activity has not found the site undevelopable. The
contamination over the years has been diluted by the continued
redevelopment and the raising of site levels as the factory has
settled into the marsh.
We have found through extensive testing the contaminants are
at very low levels and can be treated in an environmentally safe
fashion without having to export materials to landfill. We are
working with experts in the field to treat the contamination
using the latest tried and tested techniques.
We are working with SEEDA to developed a scheme that will
regenerate the Queenborough
& Rushenden area providing new jobs, business
opportunities and community services.
Objectives
Our objective is to harmonize the new development to
compliment and enhance existing housing on the Queenborough Town
side of the creek.
There will be opportunities to improve and enhance existing
facilities to benefit the whole community including activities
like water sports, shops and café's.
There will be new business and job opportunities on site and
existing larger businesses will be relocated to new industrial
parks with better access to the A249.
On a wider aspect of the development there are several
architectural and building related items that need to be
considered. These include:
- Whole-life costs
- Renewable energy
- Sustainable Site Management During Construction
- Building Design Considerations, (BREEAM Measure of
Environmental Performance), Adaptable buildings, Lifecycle
Materials Costs.
- EcoHomes 2005 Criteria
- Recycling
- Use of water saving devices and natural drainage
- Reduction of long term maintenance costs.
Renewable Energy
As a consequence of the climate change, the government
policies are promoting developments that explore
energy-efficiency measures. The policy relating to this is PPG
22 - Renewable Energy.
Paragraph 18 states: "Local planning
authorities and developers should consider the opportunity for
incorporating renewable energy projects in all new developments.
Sheppy will incorporate small scale renewable energy schemes
utilising technologies such as solar panels, Biomass heating,
small scale wind turbines, photovoltaic cells and combined heat
and power schemes. As part of the Masterplan, Sheppy & SEEDA
will actively promote renewable energy, including CHP.
Queenborough & Rushenden Regeneration
This is a very informative website and has been developed by
SEEDA to inform the public of the changes that will take place
within the Thames Gateway and the Isle of Sheppey particularly
in the Rushenden, Queenborough area. For Queenborough &
Rushenden Regeneration web site click here
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