Run-down industrial units that were taken over by a “trespasser” are set to be demolished to make way for a new warehouse.

An application has been submitted to establish a 6,000 sq ft facility in a corner of the Henwood Industrial Estate in Ashford.

According to planning documents lodged with Ashford Borough Council, just seven of the 22 units that make up Grove Business Park – which lies on the north-west corner of the sprawling estate – are being occupied legally.

Of the remaining 15, seven are vacant and eight have been subjected to “illegal trespass”.

In a severely run-down state, a unit bordered by the M20 is surrounded by a sea of tyres, overflowing bins and rubbish strewn over the ground.

A number of abandoned vehicles are also dumped outside, including a number of vans, a Ford, Mitsubishi and a Range Rover with private plates.

The huge building itself is in a state of advanced disrepair, with a survey mentioned in the application finding substantial leaks, alongside visible damage to the buildings – some of which was caused by a trespasser.

“A trespasser has forced open the doors to gain access to units. In some cases, they have removed the entire lock mechanism so the door has completely failed,” the documents add.

“We have temporarily secured them using padlocks but eventually the doors will require a full replacement in line with current building regulations.

“The trespasser has kept out the landlord over time and when we were able to inspect, we noted the units had not been cared for, or maintained.

“Foliage is growing in the building in areas the landlord cannot reach due to the trespasser keeping others out. Over time this will cause damage to the property.

“We presume there is further damage; there are parts of the property that the landlord is not able to visually inspect whilst the trespasser is keeping others out.”

A planning statement submitted by McCamley Architects, on behalf of the Weis Group, states the company has been left with little choice but to demolish the site and rebuild from the ground up.

“Our client has struggled to let these units out, and has also had problems with people trespassing and illegally occupying vacant units,” it adds.

“Additionally, there would be a very significant cost to bring the existing building up to a modern standard and make them fit for purpose, while the market has significantly shifted towards wanting larger unit size.”

Cllr Paul Bartlett (Con), who sits on both ABC and Kent County Council, welcomed the development.

He said: “I’m very supportive – these kinds of initiatives will assist with driving growth and new jobs, which is something we clearly need in Ashford at the moment with the stagnant economy.

“We think people like and expect new places to operate from and work from.

“It’s exactly our intention at ABC to develop disused sites before new greenfield sites, this is absolutely inline with those policies.”

Cllr Euan Anckorn (Lab), who represents the Furley ward on Ashford Borough Council, added: “It's very sensible to reuse a brownfield site and I hope that any development will bring new businesses and job opportunities to the area.

“However, any associated HGV traffic along Hythe Road needs to be carefully considered, given the issues that residents of Hythe Road have already raised in their recent petition.”