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The site has been developed since 1897 as part of the Grays Portland Cement Works. By 1920 further development had taken place including railway and tram lines crossing the site. The cement works remained in operation until 1976. After 1976 the site was used as a distribution depot until 1988. In 1978 and 1979 demolition of many of the existing structures associated with the cement works took place. 
A pipeline easement is present running north south on the eastern edge of the site. There is one over ground pipe and up to six buried pipelines within the easement. Three of the buried pipelines are no longer in use. The pipelines deliver product from a jetty on the River Thames to a fuel distribution located approximately 1 km north of the site.
Intrusive investigations carried out at the site identified a floating free product layer on the northern half of the site. Cognition Land & Water Limited are currently mobilising to remediate the groundwater contamination and associated soil contamination in the smear zone to a standard that is suitable for residential development and that will not pose an unacceptable environmental risk.
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