Monument record TQ 96 NW 82 - Elmley Island cement works; Elmley, Sheppey

The works were established by William Levett in c1854 and taken over by MacLean, Levett and Co. in 1895. (1) The works seems to have been moved from its original site (just to the south at TQ 9255 6775) by 1868 and re-established at a new dock. This featured a new group of buildings on its north side with wash backs beyond them. Some works cottages and a pub were built at the eastern edge of the site. The original buildings had been cleared by this time. By 1908 the works had expanded with several new buildings added on the north side of the existing block, probably on the site of some washbacks. The works has subsequently been cleared but several remains can be seen (2-3). Site identified during 2002 survey and comprises extensive brick and concrete remains of cement works but seaward side of works may be protected under modern sea wall (4).

19th century cement works at Elmley Hills on the Isle of Sheppey, now largely ruinous, with structures only surviving as foundations. The main exceptions are a section of brick and concrete wall circa 2.5m high and a large concrete base containing a flue formed by a round-headed brick passage circa 0.8m high. There are possible remains of settling tanks to the North-East. The associated wharf is of brick and concrete construction with the remains of wooden landing stage at the West end. There are older cement works to the south, the remains of two buildings surviving only as concrete pads and stumps of waling, the cross-wall of a larger structure, and a ruined windpump. (5)

<1> AJ Francis, History of the Cement Industry 1796-1914, Page Nos. 196 (Bibliographic reference). SKE6454.

<2> 1946, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX9604.

<3> 2000, Photograph (Photograph (Print)). SWX10410.

<4> Wessex Archaeology, 2002, North Kent Coast Rapid Coastal Zone Assessment Survey Phase II: Field Assessment (Pilot) (Bibliographic reference). SWX11840.

<5> English Heritage, 1995-2000, English Heritage Monuments Protection Programme Industrial Monuments Assessment, Step 3 Reports (Unpublished document). SKE58700.