Purpose

Proposed
decision:
 
The Deputy Leader to agree to:
 
1.   
the disposal of Former Rowhill School, Stock Lane, Wilmington, Dartford
DA2 7BZ; and
 
2.   
delegate authority to the Director of
Infrastructure, in consultation with the Deputy Leader, to finalise
the terms of the disposal and execution of all necessary or
desirable documentation required to implement the above.
 

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 (KCC) constitution.

Background
The
property which extends to approximately 3.63 acres is currently
vacant and comprises of several single storey structures that are
in poor unusable condition.
 
The
property is located in Wilmington, a village approximately 2.4km
south of Dartford. The site was formally used as a school and was
closed in 2010. Although the property was declared surplus by
Education in 2013 this was put on hold prior to COVID whilst
alternative educational uses were explored. The asset is now
confirmed as a surplus asset and is held at cost and
risk.
 
The
Council intends to market the site, and advice from agents
indicates that it is expected that the level of net sales receipts
to KCC will be in excess of the delegated threshold and that a Key
Decision is required.
 
A
decision is therefore sought to authorise the disposal of the site
and to delegate authority to the Director of Infrastructure to
finalise the terms subject to consultation with the relevant
Cabinet Member.
 
Options (other options considered but discarded)

-    
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 land for development.

 
How
the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s
Future 2022 -2026: Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery
Strategy 
This
decision supports Securing Kent’s Future 2022-2026 by
securing a capital receipt to invest in KCC’s priority
projects and programmes whilst also streamlining KCC’s
property portfolio, achieving financial and efficiency
benefits. 
 

Decision

The Deputy Leader to agree to:
 
1.         the disposal
of former Rowhill School, Stock Lane,
Wilmington, Dartford DA2 7BZ; and
2.         delegate
authority to The Director of Infrastructure, in consultation with
the Deputy Leader, to finalise the terms of the disposal and
execution of all necessary or desirable documentation required to
implement the above.