Funding windfall for historic fort (From Thurrock Gazette)

Funding windfall for historic fort

11:39am Tuesday 25th September 2012 in News

THE Coalhouse Fort has enjoyed a funding windfall of more than £40,000.

The cash, £22,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £20,000 from the Veolia Mardyke Trust, will be used to improve the historic site in East Tilbury.

It will pay for the necessary groundwork needed before a £500,000 project planned for fort in the future can get off the ground.

The project will see the existing toilet and ranger block at refurbished to create a new café, improved toilet and office facilities, and a new community space.
 

An education officer and a fort development worker would also be employed for up to three years to support new participation and learning activities at the fort and park.

Architectural drawings will now be devised, along with a viability study into starting up a cafe at the fort, a study into educational demand and the community engagement work needed for the project.
 

The long-term aim of the whole scheme is to see revenue from the café gong some way to supporting further restoration of the fort itself.
 

Cllr Cathy Kent, Thurrock Council’s representative on the Coalhouse Fort Project, said: “The fort and park are already wonderful places to visit – jewels that should already be enjoyed by all.

“The hard work that has gone into this latest bid raises our hopes that we can develop Coalhouse into something even more special and those who have developed it should be congratulated on their success.”