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'Brexit lorry park' land fails to attract buyer: Newchurch Westgate Industrial Estate

14:09, 26 September 2018

updated: 16:07, 20 November 2018

Swathes of land marketed as the UK’s first post-Brexit lorry park went under the hammer – but failed to attract a buyer.

A four-acre site in the heart of Newchurch in Romney Marsh went up for auction for £1,750,000, marketed as a possible "distribution centre or lorry/storage depot following Brexit".

The lot failed to sell, but auctioneer Barnard Marcus said the former Westgate Industrial Estate plot drummed up enough interest from “several parties” to continue tabling offers to the owner.

Romney Marsh - Potential lorry park site (4120872)
Romney Marsh - Potential lorry park site (4120872)

Auctioneer spokesman Jasmine Van-Der-Eijk said: "We can confirm that the site is currently available following the auction.

“The auctioneers are in contact with several interested parties and are still representing offers to the owner."

Recently appearing on property website Rightmove, the four-acre brownfield site was previously home to an equestrian supplier.

The blurb dubbed the land, off The Street, as a possible "distribution centre or lorry/storage depot following Brexit".

New Romney district councillor Susie Govett played down the advert as "over enthusiastic marketing".

She said: "Developers aren’t daft and they know that the chance of getting planning permission for a lorry park in a village surrounded by country roads is highly unlikely.

The site of the potential lorry park in Newchurch
The site of the potential lorry park in Newchurch

"This is a case of over-enthusiastic marketing by the auction agent.

"That strategy may have gained attention but it didn’t result in a sale."

The Rightmove blurb said: “Freehold former industrial estate and distribution centre with significant potential.

"Four acre “brownfield” site with 43,400sq ft internal areas, potential “Brexit” lorry park/storage, significant redevelopment or expansion opportunity.

“(They) could include a redevelopment for residential providing a significant number of dwellings subject to the necessary consents.

“Alternative uses could include expanded use as a distribution centre or lorry/storage depot following Brexit.

"The total built footprint of some 3,200sqm represents a site coverage of only 7% and therefore the site offers a huge potential for expansion of the existing commercial space for a far more intense site utilisation."

The lorry park proposal comes amid fears of predicted border chaos following Brexit.

Cllr Susie Govett
Cllr Susie Govett
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