The site of the former Royal School for Deaf Children in Margate is being marketed for sale with ‘positive’ pre-application plans to build 185 houses.
The land is owned by Kent County Council, which paid £6.8m (exclusive of VAT) for the land in 2020. It includes the Blue Wave Hydrotherapy Centre which the tenant, Your Leisure, holds on a 15 year lease from 2020.
It is being marketed by JLL as a “13.4 acre brownfield site.” Most of the school buildings have been demolished although buildings remaining include the former cricket pavilion and swimming pool with adjoining garages, a timber shed, two, 2-storey dwellings and the hydrotherapy centre.
The school was shut down suddenly in December 2015 after The John Townsend Trust, which ran it, went into administration.
The distressing closure of the school and Westgate College resulted in some 500 job losses and scores of children left without a specialist school placement.
The land had been earmarked for a new secondary school but in December 2021 this proposal was ditched for a second time by KCC following discussions with the Department for Education over the forecast of reduced pupil numbers in the district.
In 2022 the site was put forward by KCC for a potential 200 home development as part of Thanet council’s Local Plan review.
An update to the Thanet Local Plan – a blueprint for housing, business and infrastructure on the isle –was due to be extended to cover the period to 2040 – and included the need for land/sites to accommodate an additional 4,000-4,500 dwellings.
The housing need calculated up to 2031 was for 17,140 new isle homes. But using the Government “standard method” the number to 2040 was estimated at 21,700 dwellings. However, government has now deferred updating statistics until 2025 and Thanet council says it is no longer using that methodology because need is calculated on 2014 based population projections that are no longer accurate. The Thanet Local Plan currently still runs to 2031.
When putting the site forward, KCC said: “Given the site is no longer being brought forwards for education use other development options are now being considered. Given the highly sustainable nature of the site within the urban area of Margate, residential development would appear logical.
“The site is a key opportunity to create a green pedestrian link through Dane Park and the site into Margate Town Centre with routes to the supermarket, the high street, the beach, and Margate railway station.
“Public open space could also provide greater community public outdoor space for the new and existing community. For example, with the incorporation of public open space, an outdoor gym, a children’s play area and a youth play area.”
In the sale brochure JLL says: “In 2023, a pre-application meeting was held with Thanet District Council outlining a housing-led development of up to 185 dwellings. The site received a positive response and hence offers an indication of development capacity and route to delivery.
“The illustrative masterplan, designed by DHA Urban Design, comprises 1 & 2 bed apartments and a range of 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses, extending to a maximum of 4 storeys with the top storey within the roof.
“The majority of residential development is directed to the south, with an area to the north of the site next to the hydrotherapy centre accommodating a further 15 dwellings. The hydrotherapy centre itself has been excluded from the proposed plans.
“The proposed development will provide a substantial area of public green space on site, in addition to a children’s play area.”
An expected sale price has not been given.
The freehold interest is being offered for sale by informal tender A bid date will be set during the course of marketing and circulated to interested parties.
Offers are invited to be submitted electronically to JLL
