Background

West Kent Cold Store is an industrial site of 8 hectares located off a residential area, with planning consent to operate 24 hours a day. Such a use would not be permitted under current planning legislation.

It is currently operating at around 60 per cent of its maximum capacity in terms of lorries and 80 per cent for cars. Berkeley Homes has been marketing the spare capacity on the site to receive a return on its investment. However, because of the poor condition of some of the buildings, notice has been served on some long-standing tenants.

Berkeley Homes is now proposing to wholly redevelop the site with a mixed-use scheme consisting of private and affordable dwellings and some employment uses, as well as a package of community benefits.