Thanet District Council will sell Pierremont Hall and Retort House to Broadstairs and St Peter’s Town Council.

On Tuesday night, TDC's cabinet decided to accept the town council's £190,000 bid despite valuing the property at £290,000.

They also offered £10,000 for Retort House which was valued by TDC at £60,000.

Although the bid for both properties was significantly lower than the valuations, cabinet members still agreed it was in the best interest to sell.

Recording the cabinet's decisions, the minutes said: “Retention of the ownership was rejected, as it would be difficult to identify sufficient funds to maintain the building to ensure it is fit for purpose.

“Cabinet was satisfied that disposal via community asset transfer will contribute to the promotion and improvement of the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the whole or part of the district, and to all or any persons resident in the district.

“It was agreed that those benefits outweigh the difference in price between the offer and the valuation of the land.”

Both Pierremont Hall and Retort House had been set aside for disposal by TDC two years ago.

Despite the good news Broadstairs and St Peter's Town Council aren't getting to excited yet.

Town clerk Sarah Pengelly said: "We are trying not to get too overexcited because the overview panel can still look at something on the application until January 29, it would be rare for it to happen but we are just holding on tight at the moment."

The town council wants to use Pierremont Hall as a formal local historic archive; a youth and social club; offices, a service centre and the chamber for the town council; Broadstairs Folk Week offices; the Town Shed scheme; a children’s nursery; market events; and commercial office space.

It is estimated that the cost of repair work to the hall would be £250,000 to £400,000.

This would create wheelchair access to the council chambers, and an accessible toilet, possibly a platform lift and full access from the car park to the ground and first floors, and new and refurbished toilet facilities.

Retort House will be used as a sports hall and a meeting space for businesses, clubs and societies.

The town council estimated the cost of works required at Retort House to be between £700,000 and £1.3m.

This would pay to get the building fit for purpose, for the extension and refurbishment of the existing building, and help make it more economical to run, using an additional parcel of land in front of entrance.

The sale of both of these properties will now be sorted with correspondence between both parties.