Update on the water tower in Sheerness
Published
Thursday 30 October, 2025
Updated
Wednesday 19 November, 2025
The new owner of the Water Tower on Trinity Road Sheerness has agreed to clean up and secure the site.
Swale Borough Council ordered the previous owner of the derelict tower to improve the sites appearance and safety within a two-month deadline.
Since then, the previous owner sold the historic building, which had fallen into disrepair, becoming an eyesore and a magnet for antisocial behaviour.
Due to the change in circumstances, and in cooperation with the new owners, the council has agreed to extend the deadline to improve the building’s safety and appearance to 8 January 2026.
The required work includes:
- sealing all window openings with fresh, black-painted plywood
- cleaning the building's exterior brickwork and removing all scorch marks
- cutting back all overgrown vegetation to ground level
- installing a secure, 2-metre-high, dark green wooden fence around the entire site boundary
- remove all rubbish, waste, and any fly-tipped material from the land
The building, dating back to 1862, has suffered from neglect and has fallen into disrepair.
A major fire in 2022 left scorch marks on its walls, and the site is frequently used for fly-tipping.
Trespassers have also entered the dangerous structure multiple times, leading to accidents.
The council’s action will make the building more secure, preventing public access and reducing the risk of injury while improving the look of the local area.
If the new landowner fails to make these changes within the extended deadline, the council could consider prosecution or complete the work and bill the owner.
Cllr Tim Gibson, leader of Swale Borough Council, said:
“We have had positive discussions with the new owner and have agreed to give them an extension to get these important works done.
“This historic building has sadly fallen into disrepair and has become a magnet for antisocial behaviour and a risk to public safety.
“The changes we are enforcing, through our planning powers, will help make the area safer and improve its appearance substantially - following our refurbishment of Masters House and improvements to the nearby Trinity Gardens.”
