A 10-year project to make part of Sheppey a better place to live is in the process of buying a former police base.

Big Local Eastern Sheppey, which was set up to make improvements and run events in Eastchurch, Leysdown and Warden, submitted a bid to acquire the police building in Leysdown Road, Leysdown.

Project manager Sean Leacock said: “We’re in the early stages but we are trying to figure out what’s best to do with the building if our bid is successful.”

When asked why Big Local Eastern Sheppey wanted the building, he said: “The project has to finish by the beginning of 2026 and we are always trying to look for projects to leave legacies for the eastern end of Sheppey. We don’t want the building to be left or knocked down for flats when it could be used for such a valuable asset.

“We’re in the process of setting up a charity and that charity will continue it after Big Local Eastern Sheppey has finished.”

As well as the police building, which had been used as a rest area for officers during summer months as and when it was needed, there are also two garages.

If successful, it is hoped the building would become a community centre, which would include a Big Local base, community group and commercial hire and potential office space.

Mr Leacock said he hoped organisations and groups would also use it, such as the JobCentre or council services, so people wouldn’t have to travel so far.

He added: “We want to make sure it’s right for the community, so we’ve started a survey to get feedback from as many people as possible.”

To take part in the survey, click here or call 07870 645342 for a printed copy.

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