A former fire station which looks set to be demolished for new flats has been sold at auction for more than half a million pounds.

The old station at Horton Kirby near Dartford went under the hammer this week and sold for £540,000.

A bidding war saw the site sell for 45% more than the estimated guide price of £370,000 set by auctioneers Clive Emson.

It has not been confirmed what will happen to the site but planning permission has been granted to build six self-contained flats on the corner plot of New Road and Horton Road.

The fire station – located opposite the former Horton Paper Mill which has been redeveloped as housing – would be demolished under the plans granted in 2019.

It was closed by Kent Fire and Rescue Service in 2013 and has remained vacant ever since until plans came forward two years ago.

The plans approved by Sevenoaks council would see four two-bedroom flats built and two one-bedroom apartments.

But the site's new owners could decide to take a new direction and see it convert the brick-built fire station into a home worthy of attention from Grand Designs host Kevin McLeod or presenter and architect George Clarke.

Auctioneer John Stockey said: “This plot is in a predominantly residential area – just outside the conservation area.

“With a demand for housing there we had interest from builders and developers and that interest was reflected in the price it sold for."

The site was sold by virtual online auction and was among 107 plots or properties sold during the sale.

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