Buyer withdraws from Pierremont depot sale

The prospective buyer of the former depot, adjacent to Pierremont Park in Broadstairs, has notified the council of their decision to withdraw from the sale.

As a result, the decision taken by the Council Leader, on Tuesday 4 August 2026 to agree the final financial terms of sale, will no longer be progressed.

The decision was due to be discussed at a meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel on Tuesday 25 August, following a call-in. As the decision cannot be implemented, the Chair of the Panel has agreed to withdraw the call-in and the meeting is now cancelled. 

A comprehensive report outlining refreshed strategic options for the site will be presented to the Cabinet and the Overview and Scrutiny Panel in the coming months. 

Leader of the council, Cllr Rick Everitt, said: “This is obviously disappointing news as we are unable to proceed with what was a viable, credible offer to generate capital funding for essential public services across Thanet. At the same time, it would have helped to regenerate a currently unused brownfield site.

“We will now consider the next steps for this site. However, we remain focused on delivering value for money and balancing community aspirations with our duty to all taxpayers and our responsibility to comply with the law on asset disposals. We will discuss potential ways forward at a forthcoming public Cabinet meeting.” 

The Cabinet agreed to the disposal of the former depot by way of private treaty at its meeting held on Thursday 25 September 2025.

On Tuesday 4 August, the council announced that an offer for sale had been accepted following open market advertising and an extensive internal review. The bid represented the highest financial offer obtained. 

Net proceeds from the sale were to be used to directly support the council’s general fund capital programme, while returning the surplus brownfield site to productive use.