The East Greenwich gas holder is now almost completely demolished -although, as I write it still looks intact. The procedure is remorseless and unforgiving.
They are all going. Our very large gasholder is the second in a series described as a ‘new benchmark for gas holder design’. with guide frames designed on a radical ‘cylindrical shell principle’ of George Livesey. It is very plain because it was recommended such structures should not carry historicist design references. More than 180 feet tall and holding 8m cubic feet of gas it was an ‘iron mountain against the sky’ and the largest holder in the world. Water from the underlying marsh ‘caused widespread mischief ‘, so the tank was built slightly raised, and it was the first holder to have four lifts. Demolition has revealed an internal wooden structure.
Production of town gas ended here in 1976, and the holder was decommissioned in 2013. Applications to list dated from the 1990s - later explored via Freedom of Information by the campaign group. In 2000 a study for English Heritage provided a benchmark for holders in London. Subsequently OFGEM required the demolition of all holders, except those nationally listed, to safeguard consumers against future costs. The issuing of a Certificate of Immunity against listing meant that the Council could not prevent demolition and also prevented consideration of local input. It emerged that the Silvertown Tunnel would pass close by and that the adjacent site of the second East Greenwich holder, demolished in the 1980s, might be used by TfL.
We have had meetings with Southern Gas Networks, Greenwich Planners and councillors and has had two site visits. A detailed survey is being carried out by AOC Archaeology Group. SGN are commissioning an artwork and more details of this will be available soon. This has been a very brief resume. There are a number of more detailed articles elsewhere and a booklet is planned. A very sad outcome for a major icon of Greenwich’s industrial history.
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