Purpose

Proposed decision:
TheDeputy Leader and Cabinet
Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services to agree
to:
 
1.   
the disposal of Former Aylesford CTS Workshops,
Landscape Services Depot and Rear of Danepack located at Forstal Road, Maidstone;
 
2.   
Delegate authority to the Director of
Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet
Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, to finalise the
terms of the disposal and execution of all necessary or desirable
documentation required to implement the above; and
 
3.   
Note that the implementation of this decision is
subject to any additional approvals or consents (such as Asset of
Community Value, open space consultation, etc) as required by
law.
 
Reason for the decision
 
The
property is surplus to the Council’s operational requirements
and due to its projected value, a key decision will be required as
per Kent County Council’s constitution.

Background

 
The
property which extends to approximately 5.2 acres and comprises a
combination of cleared concrete / hardstanding areas and various
obsolete buildings previously used as a Highways Depot and
Landscape Workshops. The property and buildings have been declared
surplus by the Council as they are no longer required for
operational purposes.
 
It is
expected that the level of net sales receipts to KCC will be over
the £1m delegated threshold and will therefore require a Key
Decision.
 
Options (other options considered but discarded)
 
Other options
considered were to:

- 
Reuse the site

- Continue to hold the site vacant in case of a future
requirement.

- Disposal of the asset. This is the recommended
option.
 
How the proposed decision supports the

Framing Kent's Future
- Our Council Strategy 2022-2026
 
This
decision supports Framing Kent’s Future 2022-2026 as the
disposal will release a brownfield site, providing a redevelopment
opportunity for commercial uses and creating employment
opportunities. Additionally, this decision will raise capital for
KCC to improve its ‘Infrastructure for Communities’ by
investing in services, contributing to levelling up targets, and
achieving its net zero targets.
 

Decision

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Corporate and
Traded Services agrees to:
 
1.   
the disposal of Former Aylesford CTS Workshops,
Landscape Services Depot and Rear of Danepack located at Forstal Road, Maidstone;
 
2.   
Delegate authority to the Director of
Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet
Member for Finance, Corporate and Traded Services, to finalise the
terms of the disposal and execution of all necessary or desirable
documentation required to implement the above; and
 
3.   
Note that the implementation of this decision is
subject to any additional approvals or consents (such as Asset of
Community Value, open space consultation, etc) as required by
law.