More lorries could soon head to a huge border checkpoint off the M20 – as the government seeks permanent status for the site.
Sevington Inland Border Facility in Ashford was built in order to carry out checks on goods going in and out of the UK following Brexit.
The 230-acre site opened next to Junction 10a in 2021, but only under a five-year temporary arrangement after a Special Development Order (SDO) was granted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
With that arrangement running out in December, bosses are now seeking permanent permission for the site, which also houses a Border Control Post (BCP) for checks on food and plant products.
As part of the plan, they hope to increase the number of parking spaces for lorries by 15%, from 855 to 954.
In an application put forward by the Department for Transport (DfT), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and HMRC, officials say it remains a critical requirement for the site to continue in the national interest as it improves border security.
A government spokesperson said: “Sevington Inland Border Facility plays a vital role in maintaining the UK’s border security and biosecurity.
“We are applying for full planning permission to ensure this essential infrastructure can continue to operate.”
Bosses say the facility is not yet at full capacity but said operations are “anticipated to continue to intensify into the future”.
Construction cost £154m, which included £70m for the BCP and a team monitoring plant and fruit imports.
In May, Ashford Port Health bosses said their team had prevented more than 66,000 kilograms of illegal meat entering the food chain since November last year.
The site – which the government estimates cost more than £23m between April 2024-25 to operate – has the facilities to deal with live animals but has so far not received the go-ahead from government to do so.
The application comes just months after reports suggested the government may have been looking to sell off the facility in light of a deal agreed with the EU.
The trade deal – trumpeted by the government as “good for jobs, good for bills and good for our borders” – was signed to “reduce the red tape that places burdens on businesses and led to lengthy lorry queues at the border”.
Crucially, it meant some routine checks on animal and plant products will be removed completely.
However, the government declined to comment when asked by KentOnline as to whether it intends to sell the site in the future, regardless of whether it approves full planning permission.
Following the government’s application, Cllr Paul Bartlett (Con) has called on residents to make their feelings known about the facility.
In February, neighbours said more signs are still needed as lost lorry drivers continue to knock down fences and churn up grass verges due to sat-navs often taking truckers to the staff entrance at the rear of the facility in Church Road, rather than the main entrance off the A2070.
Cllr Bartlett, who represents Mersham, Mersham, Sevington South with Finberry, said: “The application is to make the use permanent following five years of temporary use.
“Residents have been very generous in their support for the site during its temporary use.
“But now it has applied for permanent status, the issues that have been brushed under the carpet such as highways access, litter, landscape management, inadequate acoustic barriers, etc, need to be addressed.
“This is our chance to have our say.”
Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.
The application has been lodged with Ashford Borough Council, but will not be decided on by the authority.
Instead, it will go via the Crown Development route, which is secondary legislation introduced by the Labour government in May.
It allows applications to be submitted directly to the Secretary of State, rather than through local authorities.
The consultation period runs until September 12.
