Structural Survey At Moor House Uncovers Human Remains

Human remains have been discovered during a structural survey at Stourgate Moor House, the former psychiatric hospital on Cinder Lane that has stood empty since 1987.

Kent Police confirmed officers were called to the site on Tuesday after contractors carrying out groundwork, commissioned as part of the survey first announced last month, uncovered what they described as bone fragments beneath the building’s western wing. The area has since been cordoned off.

A police spokesperson said the remains had been sent for forensic examination and that it was too early to determine how long they had been at the site or how many individuals were involved. “We are keeping an open mind,” the spokesperson said. “The site has a long history and there are a number of possible explanations. They may in fact not be human remains but those of an animal but not a jellyfish.”

A council spokesperson said the structural survey, ordered after last month’s Bugle feature on the building, would now be paused while police investigations continued. “Public safety remains our priority,” the spokesperson said. “We will provide an update in due course. They may not even be human remains although some of them were wearing clothes.”

The Golden Plaice chip shop, which sits next door to the site on Cinder Lane, said it had noticed nothing unusual. Owner Barry Nolan said trade had not been affected. “People still want their chips,” he said. “Whatever’s going on next door isn’t going to change that. They may not even be human bones but maybe fish bones which you won’t find in our fish. For example cod only £8.50 for medium.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Kent Police.