The Site

In June last year, Belgium-based Aliaxis announced it was ceasing the manufacture of Marley plumbing and drainage materials, with the loss of more than 220 jobs on the site located next to the A20.

Aerial view of a large industrial complex with multiple warehouses, surrounded by trees and fields under a cloudy sky.

Longstanding major employment site

Owen Aisher founded Marley Tiles at the site in the 1920s, when it was among the largest employers in the area, but after more than 100 years of industrial use the buildings are at the end of their life and need full redevelopment. The regeneration of this brownfield site will also require the careful removal and remediation of any contamination that may be expected to be present due to the 100-year history of industrial activity there.

Perfectly located

The site is located equidistant from Maidstone and Ashford, close to Junction 8 of the M20 motorway. The proximity to the A20 and M20 provides excellent connections to the urban and business populations, benefiting from the existing sustainable transport links, such as the local rail and bus networks.

A full transport impact assessment will be undertaken for the planning application to ensure any opportunities for improvement are identified and delivered.

Rural road lined with bare and evergreen trees splitting into two directions, with a large industrial building and open green lawn on the right side.

Preserving public access

A Public Right of Way (KH394) crosses the site from north to south. It connects Dickley Lane to the North Downs Way National Trail and Pilgrims’ Cycle route along the Pilgrims’ Way, that runs adjacent to the northern boundary. It’s proposed to retain the PROW, relocating and enhancing it to improve the experience for walkers.

The red line is the current route of the PROW, the yellow line is its possible new route, subject to permission.
Aerial satellite view of an industrial complex surrounded by fields and trees, with a yellow dashed line and a purple dashed line marking paths.
Industrial area with large metal silos on the right, a grey building ahead, and trees on the left under a cloudy sky.
Entrance to Moulton Heights Goods with blue doors covered in red graffiti saying 'NO ENTR' and a drawing, behind metal railings and a temporary fence, with trees in the background.

Sensitive to its location

The Kent Downs National Landscape (formerly called an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) is located to the north, east and west.

Illustration of a rural landscape with green fields, trees, farm buildings, and distant hills under a cloudy sky.

Aliaxis leaves Lenham

When Aliaxis vacated by the end of October 2025, it left more than 1,000,000ft2 of aging and redundant employment space at what is a key employment location for the borough. We will be retaining the site for commercial development – not a residential scheme.