URL: https://democracy.thanet.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=5538

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome:

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Purpose: The Cabinet considered a proposal to grant a lease for approximately 1,000 sqm of underutilised land at the Port of Ramsgate to a marine radar manufacturer for the purpose of establishing a testing facility. The land, situated in the south-eastern corner of the Port, is currently unusable and requires clearing and remediation. The proposal supports the Council’s objective to generate short-term commercial income while the wider Port of Ramsgate Future Delivery Project is developed over the coming years.

Content: The Cabinet considered a proposal to grant a lease for approximately 1,000 sqm of underutilised land at the Port of Ramsgate to a marine radar manufacturer for the purpose of establishing a testing facility. The land, situated in the south-eastern corner of the Port, is currently unusable and requires clearing and remediation. The proposal supports the Council’s objective to generate short-term commercial income while the wider Port of Ramsgate Future Delivery Project is developed over the coming years. Cabinet agreed the following:   That the Head of Property be authorised to negotiate and grant a lease of approximately 1,000 sqm of land at the Port for a Radar Facility, for a term in excess of seven years, at prevailing market value; That authority be delegated to the Head of Property to finalise and execute the lease agreement, subject to the satisfactory completion of all necessary financial and legal due diligence. The decision enables the Council to generate commercial income from a constrained and otherwise unusable parcel of land without impacting the broader strategic development of the Port. It directly contributes to ending the revenue deficit at the Port of Ramsgate. The remediation costs for the site will be capitalised and recovered through the lease rental income.   1.  To not pursue the opportunity: This was rejected as it would result in the loss of significant commercial income and leave a portion of the Port in a state of disrepair. 2.  Marketing the land on the open market: This was rejected because the site’s highly constrained dimensions and peripheral location make standard market appetite minimal. A formal marketing exercise would likely yield limited results and risk losing the high-certainty interest from the current operator.  

Date of Decision: March 19, 2026