The company which has bought the industrial site where a fire raged for 25 days says it plans to submit a bid to develop the site before the end of the year, KentOnline can exclusively reveal.

London LS has acquired the land and has taken on the responsibility to clear it up, almost a year on from the blaze on the Westwood Industrial site near Margate.

The company says they have appointed contractors who are working with the Environment Agency on a plan to clear the charred waste left piled high after the fire was put out on October 25 last year, more than a month after it began.

Speaking exclusively to KentOnline's sister paper Thanet Extra, John O'Neill of London LS said: "We acquired the site at Westwood a few weeks ago and appointed O'Keefe, whom we have worked with for more than ten years, to begin the process of quantifying and classifying the waste material on the site.

"From there, a proposal needs to be submitted by us to the Environment Agency.

"The buildings on the site, as you can imagine, are completely destroyed and our plan is to apply for permission to demolish the remaining structures.

"At the moment we are carrying out the required surveys and tests, and will begin to prepare an application as soon as we have all the information to hand."

Mr O'Neill says the company's plan is to maintain the site for future industrial use.

He added: "We have been talking with Thanet council - who have been very helpful - and local surveyors Clark and Crittenden as to what demand exists currently for various unit sizes - possibly a large unit or maybe smaller units.

"We have not decided which route to go down yet.

"In terms of timescale, we hope to commence clearing the site as soon as we are authorised to and submit a planning application before the year end."

In January, we exclusively revealed that the blaze left the fire service with a bill of more than £160,000 for extra costs.

Hundreds of firefighters worked around the clock after the fire broke out at the warehouse packed with illegally stored waste on September 15 last year. Crews were finally stood down on October 10.

Dr Keith Hutton, of neighbouring business Hilger Crystals, says until the site is cleared it remains a threat to the company but is "very happy" the new owner plans to remove the waste as soon as possible.

He said: "The impact of the fire to Hilger Crystals were significant, but we have recovered fully from the incident now.

"However, in my opinion, the site will always be a fire risk until the combustible waste has been removed and as such is still a threat to our business.

"I am very happy that the situation is moving forward.

"I am satisfied that the site will now be cleared, eventually, of combustible waste and be made safe for neighbouring businesses and members of the public."

The Environment Agency says there is still no update with the investigation.

A spokesman said: "The investigation into the original unauthorised deposit of waste is still ongoing so we can’t comment on any enforcement action yet.

"We understand a new company has recently acquired the Westwood site with a view to redeveloping the land, which would include clearing the remaining waste.

"We will work to ensure that any new landowner is aware of its legal obligations, clearing the waste in line with all relevant waste regulations."

“All issues related to the site remain the sole responsibility of the registered landowner.”

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