OVER a million pounds is to be spent on Coalhouse Fort in East Tilbury over the coming few years.
The trigger for the huge funding boost was a successful bid for £790,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund, supported by a further £110,000 from Veolia North Thames Trust and further cash and in-kind support from Thurrock Council, bringing the total project value to £1.25 million.
Cllr John Kent, Leader of Thurrock Council, said: “Coalhouse Fort is a tremendous piece of Thurrock’s history and I am sure this news will not only enable the fort to become a major tourist attraction, it will advertise Thurrock far and wide.”
Cllr Lynn Worrall, the council’s communities portfolio holder, added: “This money will turn Coalhouse from a fascinating, but little known, jewel in Thurrock’s crown to a Mecca for history buffs across the world.”
The funds will see a full renovation of the fort’s toilet and information block, creating space for a new café, as well as providing an improved office base for the Park Ranger.
Once up and running, the café will help generate much needed revenue for the Coalhouse Fort Project volunteers to finance further restoration elsewhere in the Fort.
There will be access improvement works within the fort – fencing, paving, and minor works to one of the casemates – and the employment of an education officer funded for 2½ years to deliver an education programme for Coalhouse Fort and East Tilbury.
There is also similar funding for a community development officer with the aim of expanding the events and activities taking place in and around Coalhouse Fort, boosted by a volunteering and skills/training programme Thurrock-wide, but based at Coalhouse Fort.
Cllr Andy Smith, regeneration spokesman for Thurrock, said: “Over recent years we have been hailing the increasing millions and billions coming to Thurrock to provide jobs and so on. It’s a real pleasure to be able to announce this grant, money that will improve the whole borough’s look and feel.”
And Cllr Cathy Kent, the council’s representative on the Coalhouse Fort Project, added: “This is tremendous news for the fort, the local community and Thurrock as a whole.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in the grant from the team that dealt with the bid to the National Lottery Fund for their generosity.”
Cllr John Kent added: “One of the ‘added value’ aspects of Coalhouse is the surrounding parkland, views and play area which already has a Green Flag award.
“This is great news for the whole area as more and more people learn about how Thurrock’s history plays an integral role in the nation’s past.”
