Gravesend’s history could be "thrown on the bonfire like rubbish" if development works continue on a former Victorian pleasure garden - which attracted as many as a million people a year in the 1880s.

Conservationist Conrad Broadley is concerned about the future of historic Rosherville Gardens, which boasts four listed buildings on site, including a rare bear pit and art deco features.

More is being uncovered by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) as it prepares the land for future developers for a 250-home housing development but Mr Broadley, who says there has been no public consultation, believes the work may destroy the site.

He told News Shopper Gravesend will suffer "a huge loss" if the government agency does not take steps to preserve the historical monuments.

His concern grew when he visited Rosherville Gardens at the weekend. 

News Shopper: Conservationist Conrad Broadley.

He said: "It’s like throwing a Rembrandt masterpiece on the bonfire with the rest of your rubbish.

"In the last few days more monuments have been revealed by the development work.

"For the best part of 60 years we thought there was nothing - to find this and lose it again would be ridiculous.

"The millions of visitors used to come by boat or train to visit the gardens and people still come to visit from all across the world, recently as far as New Zealand."

News Shopper:


The campaigner believes even undiscovered treasures could be discovered as the work continues.

Mr Broadley added: "I think a mixed housing development could be beneficial if they preserve the original historical features such as the bear pit, the cliff top entrance, the cavern and art deco frontage.

"The HCA haven’t done any public consultation on what they’re doing. They haven’t spoken to anyone about it.

"They haven't given a heritage master plan.

"They seem to want a flat piece of land and not take responsibility for the heritage."

News Shopper: Rosie the bear at home in the pit.

Gravesham MP Adam Holloway said: "This remains a historical site. 

"Given there is not the money to restore it now, what is important is that no one does anything that would prevent this happening in future."

Gravesham Council leader John Burden said: "These monuments have been protected in accordance with Kent County Council architectural advice.

"They have been protected with sand and other materials for the future.

"The historical importance of that site will be preserved."

Government response

An HCA spokeswoman said: "The HCA is the Government’s land and housing deliver body and we are bringing the land at Northfleet Embankment East (formerly known as Rosherville Gardens) forward for housing for approximately 250 homes. 

"Gravesham Council was aware there may have been a Victorian Bear Pit at this location when the planning permission for the site enabling works was granted and this then proved to be accurate, as the Bear Pit was discovered during HCA’s site works period. 

News Shopper: The layout of the pit.

"The HCA has since been working very closely with the local authority which has been supportive of our work and there have been extensive discussions with the Kent County Council experts in archaeology, who are Gravesham Council’s formal advisers on such matters. 

"We have closely followed the professional advice of English Heritage and Kent County Council archaeologists and the findings were recorded and then covered to protect them from the elements for future generations.

"We will be going to market soon to hopefully sell the land to a prospective developer. 

"The developer will seek planning consent for any development scheme and will need to take into consideration the old bear pit in their plans to develop the site for new homes."