Monument record TQ 76 SW 104 - West Kent Portland Cement Works, Burham

Lime burning site from early 19th century, a bank of kilns are marked on the 1st Edition O.S. Cement kilns were developed probably in the 1870s, with alterations in the 20th century to produce quick drying cement.
There are the remains of a kiln wall to the south of the site as well as destruction debris from the kilns. There are traces of concrete floors to the west of the site., and traces of buildings at the east. A row of square section concrete columns mark the line of an elevated tramway. There are also some 20th century circular sunken concrete structures which may have been the bases of silos.
(1) JM Preston, Industrial Medway.

In a desk-based assessment covering the site completed in August 2019, the surviving features were documented. Ther report notes that kiln walls on the southern boundary will retained during planned residential development. (2)

West Kent Portland cement works. The southern kiln bank now consists of an overgrown mound with concrete facing visible in places. Concrete pillars on the south side may have been used to support a tramway for loading the kilns. No remains of the kilns themselves are visible.

Wouldhamhall Lime and cement works. There are a number of ancilliary buildings surviving:

Two-storeyed brick powerhouse.

Single storey brick building with tall round-headed windows.

Second two-storeyed brick powerhouse

Two-storeyed brick building dated 1878.

A long two-storeyed brick range forming a warehouse for bagged lime and cement.

The kilns and range to the north of these building have been demolished and the area is now occpied by relatively modern units. Earlier wharf features also appear to have been destroyed by redevelopment. (4)

<1> Jim Preston Personal Communication (Verbal communication). SKE13236.

<2> CgMs, 2019, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, Peters Village, Southern Extension, Near Burham, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE53529.

<3> CgMs, 2019, Archaeological Desk-Based Assessment, Peters Village, Southern Extension, Near Burham, Kent (Unpublished document). SKE53529.

<4> English Heritage, 1995-2000, English Heritage Monuments Protection Programme Industrial Monuments Assessment, Step 3 Reports (Unpublished document). SKE58713.