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OUR VISION FOR JUMBO

Jumbo is the largest remaining Victorian water tower in Britain, and one of the few that has not been converted to a house or flats. Balkerne Tower Trust, a registered charity, aims to make this unique building a national public attraction.

Our priority is to establish guided public tours of this Grade II* listed building, then in stages to carry out repairs and develop exhibition space. It would be the only major original water tower in Britain open to the public. For more information about our aims please see our Manifesto and watch our short video.

Jumbo has had a series of private owners since 1987. A penthouse conversion plan allowed on appeal in 2001 was never carried out, and developers have admitted that any commercial development is a poor financial proposition. Meanwhile this magnificent building continues to deteriorate.

For the current situation please see the Latest News page.

URGENT - THE CURRENT PLANNING APPLICATION

Do you want Jumbo filled with flats, a restaurant and offices (none of which Colchester needs) and most of its historic interest removed?

We appeal to you to object to this planning application. Please click here for more details.

Watch our video!

Click on the image

"Its mass is awesome"
(Inspector A J Bingham, Appeal Decision 2001)

Designed by Charles Clegg, Borough engineer.
Tower built by Everett & Sons, builders of Hythe Hill, Colchester.
Tank supplied by AG Mumford, ironfounders of Culver Street, Colchester.
Overall height: 131ft 5ins (40.05m).
Number of bricks used: 1,200,000.
Tank capacity: 221,000 gallons or nearly 1000 tons of water.
Total cost when built: £11,138.