02:15A clearance centre for 10,000 lorries coming into Kent from Calais after Brexit is due to be built at a 27-acre site south-west of Ashford.
The new customs clearance centre, which used to be farmland separating two villages, has reportedly been purchased by the government, who are hoping to alleviate pressure on Dover's ferry port after Brexit.
Construction vehicles and fencing was visible in the area on Monday, the day when pre-construction work was reportedly due to begin.
Locals shared their concerns about the effects of the new facility.
"For about the last five or six years, they've been talking of making this as a huge warehouse and now they are making it into a lorry park. So, I'm not really surprised, it was going to be lost, it's a great shame, it's a lovely bit of countryside," a passerby said.
The local council was reportedly only given a few hours' notice of the deal.
UK: Post-Brexit customs clearance centre readies for construction in Kent countryside
A clearance centre for 10,000 lorries coming into Kent from Calais after Brexit is due to be built at a 27-acre site south-west of Ashford.
The new customs clearance centre, which used to be farmland separating two villages, has reportedly been purchased by the government, who are hoping to alleviate pressure on Dover's ferry port after Brexit.
Construction vehicles and fencing was visible in the area on Monday, the day when pre-construction work was reportedly due to begin.
Locals shared their concerns about the effects of the new facility.
"For about the last five or six years, they've been talking of making this as a huge warehouse and now they are making it into a lorry park. So, I'm not really surprised, it was going to be lost, it's a great shame, it's a lovely bit of countryside," a passerby said.
The local council was reportedly only given a few hours' notice of the deal.
A clearance centre for 10,000 lorries coming into Kent from Calais after Brexit is due to be built at a 27-acre site south-west of Ashford.
The new customs clearance centre, which used to be farmland separating two villages, has reportedly been purchased by the government, who are hoping to alleviate pressure on Dover's ferry port after Brexit.
Construction vehicles and fencing was visible in the area on Monday, the day when pre-construction work was reportedly due to begin.
Locals shared their concerns about the effects of the new facility.
"For about the last five or six years, they've been talking of making this as a huge warehouse and now they are making it into a lorry park. So, I'm not really surprised, it was going to be lost, it's a great shame, it's a lovely bit of countryside," a passerby said.
The local council was reportedly only given a few hours' notice of the deal.