by Emma Grove

Heritage campaigners have objected to part of the Vestas plan for Sheerness Docks, which could see a listed building demolished.

The Danish firm applied earlier this year to build a manufacturing plant for its offshore wind turbines at the port.

The main part of the proposal is the erection of three buildings, which will be for the wind turbine blade production, nacelle (which the rotor and blades are fitted to) assembly, and a new block comprising offices, plus a canteen, kitchen, changing room and other facilities.

Eleven buildings, including the Grade II* listed working mast house, will need to be knocked down to accommodate this.

But a number of heritage organisations have submitted objections to Swale council.

They are the historic buildings committee of CPRE Protect Kent, The Georgian Group and SAVE Britain's Heritage.

English Heritage, although it has not objected, has responded and states that the development would result in "very substantial harm to heritage significance".

Bob Baxter, chairman of the CPRE's historic buildings committee, explained that the mast house was one of the remaining John Rennie buildings of 1825 and was where masts for naval vessels were constructed.

He said that not only was the building historically important but also because of the way it was built - a hybrid of traditional brick built and steel constructions - it is of structural interest too.

"It's a very fine building and an integral part of what was a very active dockyard," he said.

"They say they can't operate this scheme without knocking down a Grade II* listed building but we have suggested three schemes where we feel they could still operate [the plant] by just rearranging their components and saving this very valuable and unique building for posterity.

"It could stay there for a long, long time and even become accessible to the general public."

Swale council is expected to make a decision on the Vestas planning application in May.

A spokesman from the project team said: "Vestas has chosen to operate at Sheerness because it is an existing port facility in the right location, and offers the necessary quaysides and land area.

"Sheerness's deep-water port, its quay infrastructure and hinterland, and its proximity to the North Sea, make it an ideal location for offshore wind turbine manufacturing.

"We are aware of the concerns expressed by CPRE and SAVE and we will be reviewing these with Swale Borough Council as part of the planning process.

"However, the WTM facility must be operationally and commercially feasible.

"Vestas needs a facility that can meet its current requirements and has flexibility to accommodate future demands.

"Vestas must have certainty of delivery of the project to ensure that the first turbines can be shipped out from January 2015."