The lease for Nethercourt Touring Park in Ramsgate, England, has been put on the market after Thanet District Council (TDC) took back the site from its longtime operators, with an asking rent of £18,000 per year.
The 1.77-acre campsite had been operated by Dr. Emma Barrowcliffe and her partner, Mark Salter, for approximately 20 years. The property had also been in Barrowcliffe’s family for nearly 30 years. The couple returned the site to the council in September 2026, ending their tenure as operators.
An asset disposal report presented to Thanet councillors earlier in September stated that the property includes open green space used for parking and a building containing campsite facilities. The report noted that the site had primarily operated as a public touring and camping facility under a tenant for several years.
The report also said the property would become vacant following its return to the council. Maintaining the site without an operator could create ongoing costs for TDC, including business rates, maintenance, and safeguarding expenses.
The council has now offered the property on a leasehold basis, describing the site as having “substantial scope for low-impact operational enhancement.” Nethercourt Touring Park currently has 45 pitches for touring caravans, motorhomes, campervans, and tents. Existing facilities include separate male and female shower and toilet blocks, a utility and laundry room, and an administrative office and reception area.
The property listing states: “The property is offered for continued use as a touring park, campsite, or low-impact coastal holiday facility.
“Thanet District Council invites proposals from forward-thinking operators seeking to maintain high-quality staycation accommodation while exploring low-impact enhancements such as eco-glamping pods, upgraded all-weather pitches, e-bike hire, or other sustainability improvements.”
The lease will be offered on a Full Repairing and Insuring basis, with the term open to negotiation. Under this type of arrangement, the tenant generally assumes responsibility for repairs, maintenance, and insurance obligations associated with the property, subject to the final lease terms.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the opportunity combines an established 45-pitch layout with existing campsite infrastructure, while leaving room for proposals involving additional accommodations, pitch improvements, or ancillary services.
The council’s tender criteria indicate that prospective operators will need to address more than the rental amount. Submissions will be assessed based on the proposed rent, the applicant’s business track record, investment proposals, and a site management plan.
The council’s approach also provides an indication of the types of lower-impact improvements it is prepared to consider, including glamping accommodations, all-weather pitches, and bicycle rental. Any future development would remain subject to applicable planning, licensing, and other regulatory requirements.
The lease opportunity follows the site’s return to TDC in September 2026 and gives the council an alternative to retaining the property as a vacant asset. Viewings are available by prior appointment through the Thanet District Council Property & Asset Management Team, according to the Isle of Thanet News.
