- Joined
- Feb 21, 2010
- Messages
- 228
- Reaction score
- 278
Visited at the end of January 2010.
I have only recently joined this site hence the delay.
We were hiding in the shadows due to hearing noises, until some fellow explorers came down and gave us the heads up.
Big thanks.
Shortened the history as much as I could, you don't have to read it if you don't want to.
History;
The former Shoreham Cement Works, located within the Sussex Downs was erected in 1949. The quarry dates back to 1851 and cement was manufactured on the site since at least 1898.
A tunnel under the road separates the distribution plant and administrative blocks (west) and the industrial site and chalk quarry (east). Clay was obtained from pits a short distance up the River Adur and coal was brought in by rail.
The cement was fired in two enormous 350ft kilns. The works is considered a fine example of the technology of the post war period and is still largely intact.
Shoreham Cement Works closed in 1991 and a distribution depot on the site ceased operating in 1997. There were no requirements for the owners of the Cement Works, Blue Circle, to restore the site or even to remove the buildings and other structures. The site, therefore, remains derelict and decaying.
There are specific policies for the former cement works in both the Adur and Horsham District Local Plans (the site falls within both districts) for business/leisure uses. The Horsham District Local Plan policy is quite specific that no more development than is necessary to secure the restoration will be allowed, although there is no indication of what "restoration" means in detail.
Duplicate planning applications (one to each District) were submitted in 1998 for a science park and an indoor winter sports centre. These proposals were not progressed, primarily due to a lack of funding, no environmental assessment of the proposals was submitted as was required and the applications have now been withdrawn.
In 1999 the new owners of the site submitted new proposals - an outline application for the industrial/business development of the site, with no detail except floorspaces, and a full application for a full-specification improved access to each half of the site.
In a nutshell the owners are fecked! Its in an area of outstanding natural beauty and the only option is restoration. The council wants a positive and tangible contribution to the natural beauty of the Sussex Downs, the owners want money.
This stalemate provides jobs for security guards and a cracking explore in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
I have only recently joined this site hence the delay.
We were hiding in the shadows due to hearing noises, until some fellow explorers came down and gave us the heads up.
Big thanks.
Shortened the history as much as I could, you don't have to read it if you don't want to.
History;
The former Shoreham Cement Works, located within the Sussex Downs was erected in 1949. The quarry dates back to 1851 and cement was manufactured on the site since at least 1898.
A tunnel under the road separates the distribution plant and administrative blocks (west) and the industrial site and chalk quarry (east). Clay was obtained from pits a short distance up the River Adur and coal was brought in by rail.
The cement was fired in two enormous 350ft kilns. The works is considered a fine example of the technology of the post war period and is still largely intact.
Shoreham Cement Works closed in 1991 and a distribution depot on the site ceased operating in 1997. There were no requirements for the owners of the Cement Works, Blue Circle, to restore the site or even to remove the buildings and other structures. The site, therefore, remains derelict and decaying.
There are specific policies for the former cement works in both the Adur and Horsham District Local Plans (the site falls within both districts) for business/leisure uses. The Horsham District Local Plan policy is quite specific that no more development than is necessary to secure the restoration will be allowed, although there is no indication of what "restoration" means in detail.
Duplicate planning applications (one to each District) were submitted in 1998 for a science park and an indoor winter sports centre. These proposals were not progressed, primarily due to a lack of funding, no environmental assessment of the proposals was submitted as was required and the applications have now been withdrawn.
In 1999 the new owners of the site submitted new proposals - an outline application for the industrial/business development of the site, with no detail except floorspaces, and a full application for a full-specification improved access to each half of the site.
In a nutshell the owners are fecked! Its in an area of outstanding natural beauty and the only option is restoration. The council wants a positive and tangible contribution to the natural beauty of the Sussex Downs, the owners want money.
This stalemate provides jobs for security guards and a cracking explore in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
1.
2. Bus stop still operational.
3.
4.
5. The 350ft kilns.
6. Chains inside the kilns.
7.
8.
9. I liked the symmetry here.
10.
11. Power plant room.
12.
13. Family of robots?
14. Mega drivegear thing.
15. One of the conveyors
16.
17.
18.
19. Huge water tanks
20. View of distribution plant and administrative blocks.
21.
22. View over the silos.
23. Sun setting as we left.
2. Bus stop still operational.
3.
4.
5. The 350ft kilns.
6. Chains inside the kilns.
7.
8.
9. I liked the symmetry here.
10.
11. Power plant room.
12.
13. Family of robots?
14. Mega drivegear thing.
15. One of the conveyors
16.
17.
18.
19. Huge water tanks
20. View of distribution plant and administrative blocks.
21.
22. View over the silos.
23. Sun setting as we left.
