England had been at war with France since 1793. Napoleon, despite the Peace of Amiens (signed March 1802), still posed a threat to King and Country, and the five Board of Ordnance Establishments responsible for manufacturing and storing the country's arms, ammunition and gunpowder risked being destroyed or captured (they were: the Tower of London, Woolwich Warren, Faversham Powder Mills, Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Factory and Purfleet Magazines)

King George III and Parliament were concerned...

In the latter part of 1802, enqiries are made into the ownership and possibility of purchasing some fields near the canal.