Disused nurseries at Brookland, Romney Marsh, could become 21-home development as land hits market

‘Eyesore’ greenhouse nurseries could be torn down and replaced by up to 21 homes after land in a Kent village went on sale for £2.2 million.

The plot near Brookland on Romney Marsh is the size of two-and-a-half football pitches but residents describe it as “overgrown” and an “eyesore”.

It is currently home to three disused commercial hot houses - Pepperland Nursery to the northeast, Middle House Nursery in the middle and Widespan Nursery, which forms an L-shape on the plot’s western boundary.

Pepperland Nursery already has planning permission eight homes, which would be made up of three- and four-beds.

Widespan Nursery has permission in principle for up to five homes, while Middle House Nursery has planning permission in principle for up to eight homes, made up of three- and four-beds.

Although three separate owners control the nurseries, estate agent say the parties are keen to jointly accept an offer to buy the entire plot.

Brookland is currently home to 200 properties, meaning, if all is approved, an additional 21 houses would increase the size of the village by 10%.

Agents for BTF Partnership - who are marketing the property - say the derelict cultivation site has great potential.

“The development sites present an excellent opportunity across three individually consented sites,” write the estate agents.

“Pepperland Nursery is the largest of the three development sites and comprises a large multi-span glass house with various outbuildings and area of pasture extending to approximately 0.45 hectares.

“Detailed planning permission has been granted for eight residential dwellings.”

Planning permission was granted for this plot in 2023, when council officers said the homes would have “generous gardens and onsite parking”.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council member, Cllr Clive Goddard (Con), says he is in favour of the potential development so long as it provides some affordable homes to locals.

“If there’s going to be 20 homes, hopefully a proportion of those will be affordable - that’s how people can remain in the village and have an affordable home.

“I’m all for development in villages as long as there is a proportion of low cost homes for local people. I think that’s the important bit.”

Romney Marsh resident Geoff Burfoot says the disused facilities have become an eye-sore and supports the idea to give the land a new lease of life.

“The whole site is derelict and unused and there is clearly no possibility of it being brought back into its former use,” said Mr Burfoot.

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“The whole site is an eyesore. The west unit is infested with brambles and nettles which are constantly encroaching onto neighbouring properties and we are now beginning to see rats.

“Given the high demand for new housing, it seems to me much better to build as many properties as reasonably possible on this whole site.”