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Search the Public Notice PortalConstruction work on a moat around Dagenham's only surviving medieval manor house is nearing completion.
The proposal to restore part of the moat around the Grade II listed Valence House Museum in Valence Avenue was approved in July last year and work officially began in January with the "primary objective" of restoring the "environmental and natural habitat conditions of the medieval moat".
According to a Barking and Dagenham Council spokesperson, "the main bulk of the heavy construction works" have now been completed.
This includes de-watering, de-silting and forming the new moat embankments.
The new marginal planting bed has also been constructed through re-purposed silt that has been extracted from the water body.
They said: "Works to create the new outflow have begun and the tidying up of the island is underway along with further clearing of existing tree debris and litter.
"We expect the moat construction phase is to be complete by the end of April with the last activity to be the levelling of the existing soil and earth across the moat site, down to the edges of the new moat banks."
The Valence House estate was first mentioned in the 1250s and the moat was believed to be built around 1300.
Originally surrounding the house on all four sides, the moat would have enabled fish, ducks and geese to be bred and kept for food.
In 1926 Dagenham Urban District Council (DUDC) bought the house to use as the town hall for the growing Becontree Estate and a year later Valence Park was created.
A museum and art gallery was established in the building in 1936 and two years later this became the headquarters for Dagenham Library Service.
The spokesperson added: "There is then a period of settlement of the site before planting of the marginal bed and spreading of the remaining silt can take place including grass and wildflower seeding.
"This has to be done at the correct time of year so will take place in early autumn.
"One of the final elements of the project will be removing the section of the current black railings between the Valence House Museum and main car park entrance so that the moat is opened up and can be enjoyed.”
