An historic school has sold at auction for more than £1.2 million.

The Rosemary Centre in High Road, Wilmington, near Dartford, was put up for sale by owners Kent County Council (KCC).

It went under the hammer with auctioneers Clive Emson this morning.

With a total of 217 bids, it sold shortly before midday for £1,274,000 - more than double its £500,000 guide price.

The site was previously part of the North West Kent Alternative Provision Service, which had five sites across Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley.

It provided short-term respite placements for pupils aged five to 14 and longer placements for pupils aged 14 to 16.

However, the establishment shut the majority of its services and joined the Alternative Learning Trust in 2020.

It now serves youngsters from a main hub in Richmond Drive, Gravesend.

Also once Wilmington County Primary School, the property, nearly one acre in size, is primarily one main single-storey building, with three rooms on a second floor which was previously the school headmaster's area.

Auctioneers say the property “may be suitable for a wide variety of commercial uses or perhaps conversion to residential”.

“Equally there may be potential to redevelop the playground and/or car parking area, again subject to all necessary consents being obtainable.”

However, the plans did not go down well with residents and former pupils.

Commenting online, one person said: "Terrible news. I went there from 1963 until 1970."

Another added: "Such a shame. As someone suggested, [it] would make sense for a doctor's or dentist surgery."

A third person commented: "With so many children needing support in education, it should be a specialist provision."

The site also features a war memorial dedicated to soldiers from Wilmington who fought during both world wars.

A plaque also sits on a wall to mark those who attended the school, which was built in 1850 to replace The Dames School.

Cllr George Holt (Con), who represents Wilmington on Dartford council, previously said: "The preservation of the war memorial, and ensuring the land is of community value, is the key priority.”

KCC has confirmed plans have been agreed to transfer the memorial to a new owner.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “The former pupil referral unit closed in 2019, following the relocation of the service to elsewhere in the county, and has remained vacant since.

“It was declared surplus to KCC’s operational requirements in 2021.

“Since the surplus declaration, KCC has engaged with Wilmington Parish Council to ensure the war memorial, which occupies a small area of the site, can continue to be the focus of local remembrance events arranged by the parish council.

“We are pleased that the transfer of the war memorial to the parish council for a nominal sum has now been agreed between the two parties, subject to contract, and hope this transfer can take place shortly.

“Funds raised through the sale of this surplus property will be reinvested back into KCC service delivery and the modernisation of the council’s estate, benefiting all residents of Kent.”

Wilmington Parish Council has stated it previously submitted a request to Dartford council for The Rosemary Centre to be designated as an asset of community value’ (ACV).

According to KCC’s website, if the owner of a property on the ACV list decides to sell it, a “moratorium period” will be triggered, during which the asset cannot be sold.

This allows community groups time to develop a proposal and raise the required funds to bid for the property when it is offered for sale at the end of the period.

However, KCC says with regards to the Rosemary Centre its next steps will be in “finalising the transfer of the property” to the site’s new owner.

A spokesperson added: “While KCC notes that the parish have a right under legislation to have made a nomination for the entire property to be listed as an ACV, we do not consider that the property satisfies the statutory requirements for listing.

“As such an objection to the listing has been lodged with Dartford council who will consider the next steps in relation to any listing in due course.

“As the auction has now concluded, KCC will be working with the future owner to finalise the transfer of the property.

“As a statutory consultee, the parish council will be invited to comment on any future planning application submitted in respect of the site.

“The ultimate responsibility for determining a future planning application will rest with Dartford council as the local planning authority.”

Dartford council has been approached for more information.