Community bids for SJA Sheppey site
Published
Wednesday 8 October, 2025
Updated
Wednesday 8 October, 2025
Swale Borough Council previously designated the St John Ambulance (SJA) site on the Isle of Sheppey an asset of community value (ACV).
The building, located in Queenborough Road Minster, was home to Sheppey St John Ambulancevolunteers, cadets, and the St John Ambulance Sheppey Band members.
Listing the asset meant that SJA National had to notify the council of their intension to sell the property, giving qualifying community interest groups the opportunity to bid on the land to take over its ownership.
The owners can’t sell the land within the first six weeks of notifying the council of their intention to sell, which has been extended to six months now that the council received valid bids from community groups.
This means St John Ambulance National can’t sell the land on the open market until 9 March 2026, however they are not required to accept the bid from any interested community groups.
The building meets the council’s criteria for being an ACV because it is being used for important social wellbeing, cultural, recreational or sporting interests of the local community.
Cllr Tim Gibson, chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, said:
“As a keen supporter I would like to thank the Sheppey Division of St John Ambulance for nominating the site as an asset of community value. The situation that they find themselves in demonstrates why our list is so important.
“It allows the time needed to have the detailed discussions and negotiations required to keep our community buildings available for our residents to use and enjoy.
“Many people of all ages benefit from this space, from band and parade practice, training crucial first aid skills to storage, and we understand that there are other community groups who are interested in using the space in the future if the freehold is secured.
“We hope that the sellers and the community groups will be able to come together and reach a satisfactory agreement, so that this important community asset continues to benefit the people on the Isle of Sheppey for years to come.”
