A new industrial estate creating dozens of jobs could be built on vacant land currently costing the local authority more than £50,000 a year to hold.

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) hopes to bring the former premises occupied by paper supplier Prima back into use.

The brownfield site in Ninn Lane, near Great Chart, has remained empty since the company was dissolved last year.

ABC, which owns the freehold of the site, intends to invest more than £4.5 million to develop the three-acre plot into an industrial estate.

Its creation could deliver about 50 jobs for various businesses and will also save the council £56,000 a year in holding costs.

Cllr Simon Betty (Ind, Bircholt) believes the project will reap rewards across Ashford.

The portfolio holder for commercial property and investment said: “The units should bring a major benefit in terms of economic growth and employment generation in the borough, particularly in the self-employed and SME sectors.

"Development of the site will also help to grow our commercial estate portfolio and complement our other industrial assets.”

The site, which is the equivalent size of almost two football pitches, features multiple buildings.

A report setting out how the local authority plans to therefore unlock the plot was presented at an ABC cabinet meeting last month.

Councillors heard its size would allow the local authority to provide more services alongside the existing Ellingham Industrial Estate and Carlton Road Business Park.

It comes after the council declared it currently has 34 companies looking for light industrial units across the borough.

The report said: “The demand for industrial units remains consistently high, in line with regional and national trends.

“A light industrial development would provide the opportunity for the council to turn a vacant site that is costing us £56,000 a year in holding costs, into an income generator that creates jobs and boosts the economy."

Cabinet members approved recommendations for the proposal's go-ahead on July 25.

It means the plans will now require site surveys and planning permission, which would cost in the region of £100,000, plus approval at a full council meeting.

Should it be given the nod, the project is estimated to take more than two years to complete.