A historic Sheppey building could be considered for listed status later this year.

Last week we reported there were concerns for the Dockyard Hospital after the conclusion of a legal dispute over the steel mill in Brielle Way, Sheerness, where the hospital is located.

Landowner Peel Land and Property can now look for an alternative use for the site. Although it has made no indication it intends to knock the 200-year-old buildings down, the firm has declined to comment on its plans.

Since the buildings, which were used as offices until the mill closed in January 2012, are not listed, there would be nothing preventing them being destroyed.

No formal assessment has been carried out on them, but a team from English Heritage has started looking at the history of the dockyard, the barracks and Sheerness itself.

Subsequently, it will look at other potential assets in the area worth considering for protection.

Peter Kendall, principal inspector of ancient monuments at English Heritage, said the Dockyard Hospital would be “one of the most obvious examples”.

He said: “I would have thought there was a probability that it would have had [protection], although probably not higher than a Grade II.

“It definitely contributes to the past military character of Sheerness. It’s something we would not readily want to be lost.”

He said it was not unusual that the buildings were not listed, and the reason and the lack of previous inspections could be due to it being part of the steel mill.

Mr Kendall said: “I think there was just a general feeling that that part of the dockyard had been previously developed and there wasn’t that much left.”