Hawkhurst - Babies Castle & Lillesden - Updates

Hello all

As quiet as I am on here, I thought it was probably my responsibility to update on two (rather popular) Kentish sites, Babies Castle and Lillesden, either side of Hawkhurst. I drive past both every day on my way to/from work so get as much of an eye-full as possible.

What's spurred this post? Site clearance! I'm unable to find the planning permission details online any more for Babies (if anyone can find a link that'd be sweet) but the last time I checked it was still valid. And now the site is being cleared. For the first time in... well, ever? Perhaps this is the start of the end of Babies for us all. Apologies for the somewhat uninventive photos, I took them on Friday evening on my way back from work and was in no way prepared to venture in to the mud in my suit, and they were only to be used as an update and to show the situation anyway. Planning permission was granted to demolish the existing structure and put in its place a three-storey, 90-bed care home.

Babies 4 by dangill15, on Flickr

Babies 3 by dangill15, on Flickr

Babies 2 by dangill15, on Flickr

Babies 1 by dangill15, on Flickr

As I think we all know, conversion of Lillesden to flats is well underway. Windows are now in and the whole place is looking a little more dapper. I find it a real shame it's being done (I wanted to buy it and convert it in to my own mansion [one day]), as once this conversion has taken place planning permission is valid to begin the construction of a new block of flats and a number of houses a matter or metres from the existing building. To spoil such beautiful parkland with bland new boxes is a real shame - but - without such development would the original buildings still even be standing? We'll never know, but I suppose at the end of the day it's nice it's still there, even if it is as a block of flats. I'll stop ranting now.

Thanks for the update!
Any photos of Lillesden? Would love to see how she's looking!

I'll try and stop off this week or weekend! Shots only from road though as it's a live construction site.

That'd be awesome, I know quite a lot of us that'd be interested in that!

Having done Babies Castle myself (and driven by it many times on the way to past work in Maidstone), I thank you for these recent pics. I had heard that demolition had started, but not of the main building. It is kind of a shame, but it is so badly trashed in there now, and quite dangerous where all the floors are rotten, but was an interesting mooch all the same!

Sadly i missed the boat as far as Lillesden is concerned....always liked seeing other peoples reports though! Also interested to see how its looking now!

DMG15 said:

I'll try and stop off this week or weekend! Shots only from road though as it's a live construction site.

Click to expand...

Love to see shots myself.

Babies Castle: Last Chance to Say Goodbye!

Hello all

Following the above information, I thought I best take advantage of the last time I'll be driving past before the clocks change.

Not the kind of signage any of us wanted to see, I don't think.

DSC_0312 !!! by dangill15, on Flickr

DSC_0315 !!! by dangill15, on Flickr

Baxter & King are a specialist Care Home Construction company: http://www.baxterandkingconstruction.co.uk/

DSC_0319 !!! by dangill15, on Flickr

The site has been cleared and appropriate vehicular access has been forged. Normally this would happen following demolition, around the time the ground works of the new construction commences, but I imagine they need to have a sturdy base for the demolition work to take place on, otherwise they'd never be able to get the lorries in that remove the demolished and excavated materials.

DSC_0320 !!! by dangill15, on Flickr

I'd never suggest/condone entering an active construction site (especially as I work in the industry myself) but (from outside the fence at least) it's never been as clear to get a photo of this quite beautiful building (it has to be said).

DSC_0325 !!! by dangill15, on Flickr

DSC_0327 !!! by dangill15, on Flickr

I will just reiterate the fact I do not think I'm a photographer so please don't hate on the shit standard of the pictures here (although I do think there's some magic shadow adjustment going on there, if I do say so myself).

Overall, I'm pretty gutted it's going, I think lots of people will be.

Lillesden pictures (hopefully) to follow soon.