A potential buyer has shown interest in a half-built housing estate which has been left abandoned for years, it has been confirmed.

Compass Builders LTD began construction on The Sands - a £20 million estate in St Mary’s Bay on Romney Marsh - in 2018, but work came to a halt four years later leaving a question mark over its future.

The fenced-off development has sat empty ever since becoming a target for vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

But now it has emerged a potential buyer has shown interest in the site.

Ward Cllr for St Mary’s Bay Tony Cooper explained: “Compass Builders’ freehold in other properties is going up for auction on Wednesday and The Sands development is subject to further negotiations with a potential buyer.

“That is all that is known for now.”

It’s unclear who the new buyer is or what they hope to do with the land, by Cllr Cooper hopes whatever happened, it will be kept for the community.

He added: “These buildings need to be demolished for a start, the land should be put to community use.

“It could be used as a medical hub, it could be a motel, it could be a pleasure park, but it should be developed for the community.

“It's a blight on the area at the moment.

“In respect of any plans that might come forward, I would be pushing the district council to ensure the local parish council and the community are consulted and can have their say.”

In 2016, plans submitted by Stanford-based developer FDC Homes Ltd were approved by Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) for 59 houses and 26 apartments on the land.

In total, 66 people objected to the scheme, with many fearing the development would be “out of place.”

The site was later sold to Compass Builders Ltd and work commenced in early 2018, but a “national shortage of plasterboard” delayed the expected launch the following summer.

In 2019, several of the new-build homes were up for sale on Rightmove, with prices ranging from £130,000 for a one-bed apartment to £490,000 for a four-bed townhouse.

Neighbours say construction did continue on the site but came to a halt in early 2022, with many building materials left abandoned around the plot.

Since workers left the land has become a “disgusting dumping ground” occupied only by pigeons, rabbits and vandals according to neighbours, while the uncompleted buildings are left open to the elements.

Compass Builders Ltd fell into administration last year.

The site was previously home to a holiday camp known as The Sands Motel. But the budget family resort was demolished after being damaged in the Great Storm of 1987 and remained unused.