Hammill Brick Works, Hammill, Woodnesborough, CT13 0EJ

Image: © John Baker Taken: 6 Oct 2013

This was formerly the site of Goodnestone and Woodnesborough Colliery (sometimes known as Hammill Pit). Some of the buildings date from 1910, including one of the engine houses. No thought of the site’s further expansion was undertaken until a branch line to the East Kent Light Railway was laid in October 1916 but with no coal ever being mined from this site, it was never used. Hammill Brick Company bought the site from Pearson & Dorman Long, the owners of Betteshanger Colliery, in 1927 and used the branch to transport some of their bricks although most went by road. The line survived until 1951 but, today, no trace of its route survives on the ground. This view is near where it would have entered the works, probably to have run in parallel with the long, grey building. Planning permission was granted by Dover District Council under application number DOV/12/00450, for “(A) Full application for change of use and conversion of two engine sheds to six live/work units and (B) Outline application for the erection of nineteen dwellings of B1(c) accommodation, construction of vehicular access, associated car parking and landscaping (existing buildings/structures to be demolished)”. The development of the site, which has been named Hammill Park, is being managed by Quinn Estates http://quinn-estates.com/future-developments/#current-projects/hammill-brickworks

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0