KCC, Public Notice

Herne Windmill, Mill Lane, Herne, CT6 7DR

Notice is hereby given that Kent County Council (“the Council”) intends to divest selected windmill assets owned by the Council in accordance with the Key Decision approved by the Council in 2024 (Decision ref 24/000068).

The Council is seeking expressions of interest and bids from suitably qualified organisations, trusts, charities, community groups, businesses or other parties that can demonstrate their ability to safeguard, manage and maintain these heritage assets for the benefit of current and future generations.

The windmills available for divestment comprise historic mill properties located within Kent. Further details regarding the individual windmills, the divestment process, timescales and evaluation requirements will be provided to interested parties upon request.

Interested parties will be invited to submit proposals which will be assessed against criteria including, but not limited to:

• Long-term stewardship and preservation of the asset;

• Financial sustainability and viability;

• Heritage conservation credentials and proposed maintenance arrangements;

• Community access, engagement and educational benefits;

• Deliverability of the proposal and organisational capability; and

• Alignment with the Council’s objectives for the future management of the asset.

The site is shown for identification purposes edged red on a plan which may be inspected at Sessions House, County Road Maidstone ME14 1XQ during normal business hours or at Local library, Herne Bay Library, 124 High Street, Herne Bay, Kent, CT6 5JY. The advert and plan will also be able to be viewed on the Kent County Council website at www.letstalk.kent.gov.uk.

This notice is published to ensure that all interested parties have an opportunity to participate in the divestment process.

For further information and to express an interest regarding the windmills and the divestment process, interested parties should contact the Council by email at: windmills@kent.gov.uk , via the Kent County Council website at www.letstalk.kent.gov.uk or in writing addressed to Windmills Divestment, Investment and Disposals, Property Strategy, Deputy Chief Executive’s Department, Kent County Council, Sessions House, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1XQ

All expressions of interest to be submitted by 5pm Fri 18th September 2026.

Formal bids in accordance with the council’s bid evaluation criteria to be submitted by 5pm Fri 13th November 2026 deadline.

Kent County Council reserves the right not to proceed with the divestment of any asset and is under no obligation to accept any proposal received.

Dated: 30th July 2026