Disposal of land at the former Oasis Academy, College Road, Hextable, Swanley

Update 29 June 2026

Kent County Council (KCC) is preparing to market the former Oasis Academy site on College Road, Hextable, for sale from 30 June 2026. Knight Frank has been appointed as the agent and KCC is seeking offers for the freehold interest in the site.

The site has not been used for educational purposes since 2016 and is now surplus to KCC’s requirements. Before deciding to sell, KCC checked whether any other council service required it and no service need was identified. A proposed disposal was therefore endorsed by KCC’s Policy and Resources Committee on 10 September 2025.

In March 2026, KCC published a Public Notice setting out its intention to dispose of the open space land at the Avenue of Limes and former playing fields. Interested parties were invited to submit comments in writing, either through the online form, by email or by post. KCC has also received enquiries from residents, as well as parish and town councils. KCC has considered all of the feedback provided.

Response to feedback

In response to the feedback raised, KCC will include conditions as part of the sale that will protect the Avenue of Limes for future generations. This will include a restrictive covenant on the title. The council will also require that, following completion of any development by a successful purchaser, the Avenue of Limes is transferred to a local community entity representative to be enjoyed and controlled by the local community.

KCC is aware that the Howard Venue operates from part of the site and is a well-used and valued facility. The centre will not be part of any sale. It will continue to operate and will be retained by the council to be used by the local community. KCC is offering the charity a new lease at £0 rent for an initial term and has also offered additional parking spaces as part of its existing lease agreement.

The former playing fields are on land owned by KCC. We recognise that some residents have been able to use the land with KCC’s permission. This permission is discretionary and can be withdrawn at any time.

Any future use or development of the site, including the former playing fields, would be considered through the planning process. The local planning authority is Sevenoaks District Council. If a new owner submits a planning application, there will be statutory consultation and residents and local groups will have the opportunity to comment as part of that process.

Selling the site will reduce the ongoing costs and liabilities associated with managing a vacant and derelict property, including costs linked to vandalism and security. Money from the sale will be reinvested to deliver KCC services such as new school provision or road maintenance.

Original Public Notice text:

Local Government Act 1972 Section 123 - notice of intended disposal of land

Notice is hereby given under sections 123 (1 and 2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 that Kent County Council intends to make a disposal of open space land at the Avenue of Limes and Former Playing Fields, Former Oasis Academy, College Road, Hextable, BR8 7LW. This land is referred to in this notice as "the Open Space Land".

The Open Space Land has an area of approximately 21.869 acres (8.85 hectares). It is shown for identification purposes edged red on the Location Plan, which is available in the 'Documents' section on this webpage and can be inspected at:

LocationAddressOpening times
Sessions House County Hall, County Road, Maidstone ME14 1XQDuring normal business hours
Swanley LibraryLondon Road, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7AEMonday to Thursday: 9am - 5pm
Friday: 10am - 4pm
Saturday: 9am - 1pm


This is a formal notice given insofar as this land consists or forms part of an open space within the meaning of the above sections.

Any comments to the intended disposal must be made in writing using one of the following ways:

Responses must be received by 9 April 2026.

Update 29 June 2026

Kent County Council (KCC) is preparing to market the former Oasis Academy site on College Road, Hextable, for sale from 30 June 2026. Knight Frank has been appointed as the agent and KCC is seeking offers for the freehold interest in the site.

The site has not been used for educational purposes since 2016 and is now surplus to KCC’s requirements. Before deciding to sell, KCC checked whether any other council service required it and no service need was identified. A proposed disposal was therefore endorsed by KCC’s Policy and Resources Committee on 10 September 2025.

In March 2026, KCC published a Public Notice setting out its intention to dispose of the open space land at the Avenue of Limes and former playing fields. Interested parties were invited to submit comments in writing, either through the online form, by email or by post. KCC has also received enquiries from residents, as well as parish and town councils. KCC has considered all of the feedback provided.

Response to feedback

In response to the feedback raised, KCC will include conditions as part of the sale that will protect the Avenue of Limes for future generations. This will include a restrictive covenant on the title. The council will also require that, following completion of any development by a successful purchaser, the Avenue of Limes is transferred to a local community entity representative to be enjoyed and controlled by the local community.

KCC is aware that the Howard Venue operates from part of the site and is a well-used and valued facility. The centre will not be part of any sale. It will continue to operate and will be retained by the council to be used by the local community. KCC is offering the charity a new lease at £0 rent for an initial term and has also offered additional parking spaces as part of its existing lease agreement.

The former playing fields are on land owned by KCC. We recognise that some residents have been able to use the land with KCC’s permission. This permission is discretionary and can be withdrawn at any time.

Any future use or development of the site, including the former playing fields, would be considered through the planning process. The local planning authority is Sevenoaks District Council. If a new owner submits a planning application, there will be statutory consultation and residents and local groups will have the opportunity to comment as part of that process.

Selling the site will reduce the ongoing costs and liabilities associated with managing a vacant and derelict property, including costs linked to vandalism and security. Money from the sale will be reinvested to deliver KCC services such as new school provision or road maintenance.

Original Public Notice text:

Local Government Act 1972 Section 123 - notice of intended disposal of land

Notice is hereby given under sections 123 (1 and 2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 that Kent County Council intends to make a disposal of open space land at the Avenue of Limes and Former Playing Fields, Former Oasis Academy, College Road, Hextable, BR8 7LW. This land is referred to in this notice as "the Open Space Land".

The Open Space Land has an area of approximately 21.869 acres (8.85 hectares). It is shown for identification purposes edged red on the Location Plan, which is available in the 'Documents' section on this webpage and can be inspected at:

LocationAddressOpening times
Sessions House County Hall, County Road, Maidstone ME14 1XQDuring normal business hours
Swanley LibraryLondon Road, Swanley, Kent, BR8 7AEMonday to Thursday: 9am - 5pm
Friday: 10am - 4pm
Saturday: 9am - 1pm


This is a formal notice given insofar as this land consists or forms part of an open space within the meaning of the above sections.

Any comments to the intended disposal must be made in writing using one of the following ways:

Responses must be received by 9 April 2026.