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A concerned councillor has challenged Kent County Council to clear up and secure a former care home site in Faversham which has become a “magnet” for antisocial behaviour.
Town and borough representative Cllr Ben J Martin (Lib Dem) has hit out at the authority’s “neglect” of the ex-Kiln Court care home area in Lower Road.
But KCC says it recognises the antisocial problems at the site and hopes to rid itself of the eyesore as soon as possible.
The facility closed its doors in 2016 with a loss of 42 jobs as it was deemed to be no longer fit for purpose by KCC, and since then it has become a focus for flytipping and vandalism.
Cllr Martin said: “Anyone can access the site and it is a magnet for antisocial behaviour and other crimes, such as flytipping and vandalism.
“KCC has had four years to come up with an alternative use for the site, and their failure to secure it is causing unacceptable nuisance to residents.”
The site has several damaged fence panels and broken roof lights, as well as large amounts of flytipped items.
“Given the amount of debris, the derelict state of the building, and Kiln Court’s proximity to Bysingwood Primary School, I fear that someone may enter the site and become injured, or worse,” Cllr Martin added.
“So I am calling on KCC to immediately secure the site, and put it to good use.
“A good solution would be to transfer the site ownership to either Swale Borough Council or Faversham Town Council, who are keen to provide affordable housing for local people.”
KCC spokesman Murray Evans said: “Kiln Court, along with other adjacent buildings, was earmarked for disposal by KCC following its closure in 2016.
“The whole site was marketed in 2018 but this was put on hold due to the uncertain market conditions.
"The asset is registered an ‘asset of community value’ and presently KCC is following through on this statutory process, whereby it is hoping to complete a disposal as soon as possible in accordance with its statutory and fiduciary duties.
“KCC recognises the difficulties holding the site vacant and the problems it attracts.
"The buildings are securely boarded and the whole site is patrolled 24/7 by security who will alert the police and KCC where there is any unauthorised or criminal activity at the site.
“KCC will always press for prosecution in circumstances where it can in this kind of situation. Security requirements are reviewed as required to ensure matters of safety are addressed.”
Faversham Kent County Councillor Antony Hook (Lib Dem) is backing Cllr Martin’s calls.
He said: “The administration at KCC has neglected Kiln Court for years, disregarding the potential for the site to provide affordable housing for local people, and demonstrating the economic incompetence of the cabinet - especially in relation to achieving the best value for tax payers from the council’s expansive capital asset portfolio.”
