A historic marching band facing eviction from its base has been given new hope for its future, after the building was granted a special planning protection.

The unit used by the Sheppey St John Ambulance music group was this week listed as an asset of community value (ACV) by Swale council.

It comes as the charity behind the band announced it was to put the building, in Queenborough Road, Halfway, up for sale following a national review of its properties.

The marching band, the last of its kind in Britain. previously revealed that its last day there had been extended from Sunday, August 31, to Tuesday, September 23, as a gesture of goodwill.

It has been an integral part of the community and the Island, and its nearly 40 members were set to celebrate its 80th anniversary next year.

So far, the group has received support from Cllr Maxwell Harrison and Cllr Isabella Kemp at Kent County Council (KCC) and the Island’s MP, Kevin McKenna.

It has also been offered a temporary home at Sheppey Rugby Club, which allows it to fulfil its remaining commitments and performances up until the end of the year.

The latest update in the ongoing saga is that the building has been officially registered as an ACV.

This is a way for residents to protect facilities which provide community value from being sold to private owners.

It was approved by Swale council on Monday (September 8).

As a result, when St John Ambulance decides to sell the property, it must let the authority know, which will notify local organisations.

A six-week window is then triggered. During this time, a charity or community interest company can express an interest in bidding on it.

If this happens, any sale would be paused for six months to give them time to raise the money needed.

There is no legal obligation for the owner to sell to the community group. After this time, St John Ambulance can put the property on the open market.

However, the rules mean the marching band cannot raise its own funds or express interest, as it is part of the same organisation.

"While it is disappointing we can’t buy it ourselves, we have reached out to various local charities and parish councils for their help," bandmaster Dean Faulkner explained.

"If anyone is interested in buying the site, please get in touch.

“This is the final push, and we will make sure to keep everyone informed. We will fight to the very end.”

A spokesperson for St John Ambulance previously said: “We continue to actively engage with local volunteers and band members to secure a suitable spot-hire meeting place from several promising leads in Sheppey, while we seek more permanent premises in the county.

“This collaborative approach to securing a venue will help to support the local community while ensuring the effective management of our resources.

“The decision to close our current meeting place in Queenborough Road followed a thorough review of the condition, running costs, maintenance requirements, and location of the building, confirming it was no longer suitable for our service needs.”

If you’d like to express your interest in the building, please email righttobid@swale.gov.uk