Purpose

To consider exercising the
right to purchase Retort House, Broadstairs under a pre-emption
agreement dated 4/4/2018.

Decision

To accept the offer to purchase
Retort House in accordance with the pre-emption agreement, subject
to the virement of funds being agreed at the Cabinet meeting on 27
November 2025.

Reasons for the decision

To consider options for the reactivation
of the property, which has been closed since early 2025.
 
To
amend the access rights granted under the original transfer, in
favour of the overall land holding and rectify the
encroachment.

Alternative options considered

Thanet Council could decline
the right to purchase the property however it is considered this
option would create greater issues once the property passes to a
private owner which would have a detrimental impact on the
Council’s retained landholding. If Thanet Council declines
the right to purchase, BSPTC would be at liberty to sell the
property in the open market and the pre-emption right to Thanet
Council will fall away completely. This would restrict Thanet
Council’s opportunity to resolve the longstanding issues and
whether the property might now usefully contribute to the
Council’s corporate objectives.