Campaigners celebrate as historic building in Colchester’s saved from destruction

CAMPAIGNERS have successfully saved one of Colchester’s historic military buildings from destruction.

The ‘War Horse Hospital’, at the former Army Base Repair Organisation site near Abbey Field, has been given listed status to protect it from developers.

The campaign to save the building was led by 76-year-old Paul Knappett, who was the first civilian manager of the site.

Mr Knappett said: “I have an extremely keen interest to see the preservation of these historic buildings, and that’s why I’ve fought so hard for so long to see their preservation.”

He worked with local residents and city councillors to ensure the protection of the ‘War Horse Hospital’.

Mr Knappett said: “This is very important, and it has immense value.

“Architecturally and historically, they are so rare. It ought to be grade two listed, and now it is.”

Grade II means a building is of particular national importance or special interest.

The building is part of Colchester’s long military history, as thousands of horses were based there as part of the cavalry and artillery regiments.

History- The 'War Horse Hospital' is a significant part of Colchester's military history. (Image: Paul Knappett)

The Crimean War saw high mortality rates of men and horses, which motivated the development of equine healthcare, with a barracks and hospital built for the wellbeing of both men and horses.

Mr Knappett continued: “These barracks in Colchester are the only surviving examples of those types of barracks. It is very complete.

“It still has the Victorian fireplace inside it, and you can see the steel girders in the roof where they used to lift the horses up to carry out operations on them.

“It has all those original fixtures and fittings, and it is one of only three existing military horse infirmaries anywhere.

“All this makes it an extremely important building historically."

Mr Knappett is also campaigning to have the gun park in Colchester listed for its protection.

He said: “We understand quite clearly that you can’t protect all the buildings, but it’s very important for us to try and protect the most important ones.

“The gun park and the horse infirmary are very important.”

The campaign was backed by Colchester High Steward and former MP Sir Bob Russel, and Colchester Civic Society.