by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Thousands of cubs and scouts from across the county will soon be able to enjoy a new activity centre.

The movement’s £475,000 winning bid at auction secured a traditional Kentish barn, stable block, cottage and four acres of land at Lower Grange Farm in Sandling, near Maidstone.

Volunteers will now get to work refurbishing the site and creating dormitories in the stables, a conference, training and playroom in the barn, and a county HQ - presently in Gillingham - in the cottage.

The surrounding land will be used for camping and a host of other activities. The complex will be Kent’s first dedicated Scouting centre in more than 30 years. A previous centre, near Bromley, was sold in the 1970s.

Audio: County commissioner Kevin Holford

Scout chiefs said the new site “ticked all the boxes” as far as potential and location were concerned. “It’s a fabulous step forward,” said county commissioner Kelvin Holford. “Everyone’s over the moon about it.”

The Scouts would seek expert advice before restoring the barn and do all they could over the coming years to protect the site.

He admitted there had been a “bidding war” at the auction, organised by Clive Emson, but the Scouts were determined to buy it. “We have got a good deal. We would have bid higher but fortunately we didn’t need to and that gives us more in reserve to invest in the site.”

Chris Price, a trustee and Explorer Scout leader from Gravesend, said: “It’s a great site, a great training site for young people and leaders. It’s going to be awesome.”

Some 15,000 young people and 3,000 adults, as well as parents, are involved in Kent’s scouting movement. Mr Holford said after recent decline, membership was now growing at around four per cent a year.

“It’s becoming more relevant to young people today and demand is growing. We are now in our fourth year of growth.” But he added a plea for more leaders. “We can always do with more,” he said.