Overview
This page provides an opportunity for interested individuals and organisations to view information about the Sevington Inland Border Facility.
The site acts as a location for starting and ending transit movements of goods from the UK. The site includes parking areas for HGVs and other vehicles as well as security measures and facilities to enable the checking of vehicles and goods entering and exiting the site.
The submission relating to the Government’s proposals for the Sevington Inland Border Facility was approved by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in December 2020. As such, the site at Sevington is in use as an inland border facility as of 1 January 2021 for up to five years. The site is also subject to construction and operational management plans which have now been approved.
The original decision notice relating to MHCLG’s 2020 approval of the SDO application is available to view here
To meet evolving operational requirements, a further two submissions under Article 4 of the SDO have since been made. This decision notices are available to view here (December 2020) and here (November 2021).
DfT will be submitting updated proposals for Sevington Inland Border Facility to meet new operational requirements for the site and enhance biodiversity on the land to the east of Highfield Lane, adjacent to the Inland Border Facility.
Contact us
If you have a specific concern, please contact us using the email below:
Planning Documents
In November 2020, DfT sought permission under ‘The Town and Country Planning (Border Facilities and Infrastructure) (EU Exit) (England) Special Development Order 2020’ for the use of land and associated works pertaining to an Inland Border Facility in Sevington. The application was supported by planning documents outlining the impacts of developing an Inland Border Facility at the site. Following the Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government’s agreement to the application, DfT is now releasing the following planning documents which accompanied and informed this Inland Border Facility proposal. Individual names and other security sensitivities have been redacted.
Analysis of the Likely Environmental Effects of the Development
Appendix A Environmental Constraints Plan
Appendix B Transport Assessment
Appendix D Air Quality Impact Assessment
Appendix E Cultural Heritage Assessment
Appendix F Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment
Appendix G Geotechnical and Geo-environmental Desk Study
Appendix H Biodiversity Assessment
Appendix I Arboricultural Report
Appendix J Noise Impact Assessment
Appendix K Flood Risk Assessment and Drainage Strategy
Appendix M Cumulative Effects Map
Environmental Masterplan Day 1
Community Updates
February 2022
Further details about the Sevington Inland Border Facility are available to view in an Information Booklet which can be downloaded here:
February 2021 – Information Booklet
November 2021
News and updates for the local community regarding the Sevington Inland Border Facility are available to view below.
Further details about the Sevington Inland Border Facility are available to view in an Information Booklet which can be downloaded here:
19th February 2021 – Resident Letter
November 2021 – Information Booklet
To help ensure HGV drivers are using appropriate routes to access Sevington IBF that do not impact on local villages, a Directional Leaflet for drivers has been produced.
The leaflets have been circulated to the Road Haulage Association and their equivalents in all European countries, Logistics UK as well as the DVSA hauliers mailing list. This leaflet is available in 14 different languages and can be viewed and downloaded here
11 November 2021
Earlier this year, we communicated our intention to submit a planning proposal to set out how Defra would begin sanitary & phytosanitary (SPS) inspections on food, live animals and plant consignments inbound to the UK from 1 July 2021, formerly known as ‘Day 200’ of operations on site.
We wish to update you that inspections on these commodities from Eurotunnel and the Port of Dover will now begin next year, in July 2022, and our planning proposal must be updated to reflect this change. This proposal, known as Sevington 3, remains as originally stated. Defra’s operation will be undertaken at the border control post (BCP) building in the middle of the site, which will be jointly shared with HMRC.
15 April 2021
We wanted to inform you of the Kent County Council Public Path Order consultation for paths affected by the Sevington Inland Border Facility. Directions for making representations regarding the Order may be found in the public notice, available here. Representations may be made until 14 May 2021.
April 2021
Over approximately the next three weeks, there will be increased HGV vehicle movements along Church Road. The vehicles will be moving a portion of the topsoil currently stored on land to the east of Highfield Lane to the Sevington IBF area. The purpose of the topsoil movement is to assist with finalising the development of the Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) water retention ponds located at the southwest corner of the site, adjacent to Church Road.
Vehicle movement will be limited to current construction hours between 08:00 and 18:00 on weekdays and 08:00 and 13:00 on Saturdays. Flow of vehicles in and out of the site will be managed to ensure minimal impact on users of Church Road. Every effort will be made to control the noise and dust as much as we are able to.
We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.
April 2021
In March 2021 the Department for Transport (DfT) made a further planning submission for the Sevington inland border facility to implement changes to the site in support of operations.
22nd February 2021
Since the previous round of engagement, operational requirements for Defra have changed. In view of these proposed changes, the Department for Transport (DfT) is making a new submission for the inland border facility to increase the footprint of the Defra buildings and provide supplementary containers to enable sanitary & phytosanitary (SPS) checks to be undertaken on food, live animals and plant consignments inbound to the UK.
These changes will support Defra’s operations on the site from July 2021. As previously planned, Defra will occupy an area at the centre of the site and will share responsibility for the site with HMRC from July 2021. DfT is engaging with the local community and technical stakeholders about the proposed changes.
1st January 2021
The Sevington Inland Border facility is now operational, enabling the safe and efficient processing of customs paperwork relating to international freight movement.
The operations of the inland border facility will continue to be carefully managed in accordance with the requirements of the approved Operational Management Plan (OMP). This includes the ongoing monitoring of traffic flows and site usage in conjunction with the local highway authority and Highways England.
As part of ongoing traffic management, signage has been used on local and strategic road networks to enable HGV drivers and staff to navigate to the site. Signage on site also provides contact information for any possible issues.
Engagement from Government departments with key stakeholders is ongoing to ensure that they are kept informed regarding operations on site. Further information for hauliers and guidance on attending an Inland Border Facility is available here
24th December 2020
In order to assist with delivery of the Ashford sites, we are seeking approval for the temporary operation of both Sevington and Waterbrook in parallel for a temporary period and on a limited basis from 1 January 2021 until the end of February 2021. It is proposed that HMRC function (customs checks) would be carried out at Waterbrook during this period with DfT traffic management and HGV border readiness checks happening at Sevington. It is important to note that the total level of activity across the two sites would be no more than that proposed just on the Sevington site in terms of total HGV movements. As we stated during the engagement period, there is no intention to operate both sites fully as inland border facilities at the same time. Further consideration has been given to the potential environmental effects of both sites operating on this limited basis. We have concluded that there would not be any significant impacts from this and no greater effects than those assessed previously with only one of the sites in operation.
23rd October 2020
We wanted to let you know that we will be commencing some construction works on the site under the existing temporary planning permission. These works will be carried out under the current Special Development Order for the site which expires on the 31st of December 2020.
You may see some site set up works starting from 26 October, with construction works commencing. from 2 November 2020.
This work is important to ensure that the site can be ready for the 1st of January 2021 to help support readiness for the end of the transition period. Inland border facilities form an essential part of our preparations to manage any potential disruption and ensure the free flow of goods in and out of the UK.
All works will be carried out in accordance with an approved construction management plan in order to minimise any potential impacts upon local residents.
Inland border facility location
This site is located to the south east of Ashford at junction 10a of the M20, approximately 50 miles south east of London.
Hauliers can access the site via the A2070 dual carriageway, which is adjacent to junction 10a of the M20.
The site has a single access point with separate entrance and exit lanes. There is a signalised junction on the A2070.
June 2022 Update: Upcoming Archaeological investigations
To achieve biodiversity enhancements as part of the overall development of the Inland Border Facility, we are undertaking archaeological investigations in the form of soil strip, map and sampling work.
These will be conducted over the next 8 weeks followed by stockpile moving works for approximately 4 weeks. The noise level from plant will be comparable to that of farm machinery, such as a tractor and will be intermittent. Work will be undertaken in standard daylight working hours.
These investigation are important as the eastern field has the potential to contain archaeological remains from the prehistoric through to the modern period. Nearby investigations have found Roman kilns, bronze age trackways, burial sites and early medieval agricultural activity. As the field has been used for agriculture since at least the medieval period, early archaeological remains are likely to survive well.
The findings of these investigation are needed to help inform our biodiversity enhancements to the eastern field. This area will contain native species, with a mosaic of habitat areas including species rich wildflower meadows, and open managed grassland with shrubs, scrub and scattered individual trees. As the eastern field matures, it is envisaged that it will provide habitat for hedgehogs, bats, dormice, brown hare, reptiles, newts, birds of prey and breeding birds of conservation priority such as skylark and nightingales.
Please click here, to see the letter that was posted directly to the local community.
The below map shows the areas of excavation that will be taking place:
Construction and Operations
An Operational Management Plan (OMP) has been developed for the inland border facility. The OMP explains the tasks involved in safely managing and operating the site in a manner to reduce the potential for any adverse impacts on site or locally. It provides a framework of guidance to all site users and describes in detail the arrangements for delivering the intended services. A non-technical summary of the OMP can be viewed here
A Construction Management Plan (CMP) has been developed for the inland border facility. The CMP explains how construction works will be managed. It also ensures that possible impacts that may arise from the works have been appropriately identified and mitigated. The CMP for the inland border facility is available to view here
Proposed Changes
These changes include proposals for:
- A canopy with two parking bays to allow shading and cleaning down of live animal HGV’s for animal welfare and spraying of wheel arches for biosecurity reasons.
- A new refuse bin storage area for a cleaner, tidier IBF site.
- Extra cabins for staff and drivers, including driver welfare facilities.
- Three generators to provide power to critical infrastructure in the event of mains supply failure, which are sealed to provide noise-insulation.
- Raised fencing for enhanced safety.
- A pump house and water tank for an improved sprinkler system.
- A secure hazardous waste storage area.
A map of the site is set out on the right side, with the key additional changes highlighted:
Traffic flow and access
Directing vehicles to the inland border facility
HGV traffic accesses the site via Junction 10A of the M20 motorway.
From London, the Midlands, the East of England and the North of England
HGVs travelling eastbound on the M20 to the inland border facility will exit the M20 at Junction 10a, via the southbound off-slip onto the A2070.
From Folkestone, Dover and Dover Straits ports
HGVs travelling westbound on the M20 inbound from the Dover Straits ports will follow road signage to exit the M20 at junction 10A via the northbound off-slip onto the A2070.
Prominent road signage
Prominent road signage has been installed that directs HGV drivers to and from the Inland Border Facility.
Signs are in place at the site entrance to advise hauliers about the use of site facilities and providing site contact details.
The signage strategy was approved as part of the OMP.
Entry and exit points at the facility
The new site access junction is located on the A2070, approximately 225m west and downstream of junction 10a, south of the M20.
Information for hauliers
Information for hauliers attending the Sevington Inland Border Facility is available to view here
Operation Brock
Operation Brock is a Kent traffic management system that can be deployed to manage the flow of HGVs and reduce traffic congestion in the event of cross-Channel disruption. It was developed by National Highways, the Kent Resilience Forum (KRF) and DfT in 2018 as an alternative to Operation Stack in preparation for the UK’s departure from the European Union. It was revised in readiness for the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020.
Operation Brock has multiple phases that can be activated depending on the scale of the disruption. Unlike Operation Stack, it allows the M20 to remain open for general, though reduced, use by passenger vehicles through the use of a ‘contraflow’ in which HGVs can be queued. This contraflow is deployed using a moveable barrier between junctions 8 and 9 of the M20. The existing approval allows the site to be used for Operation Brock, should it be required.
View of the landscape from the Sevington site
The Eastern Parcel
The land to the east of Highfield Lane, otherwise known as ‘Sevington East,’ is approximately 48ha of agricultural land. Over the last year, part of this area has been used to temporarily stockpile material which was excavated from the land to the west of Highfield Lane. A footpath runs through the centre of the field from east to west, from Blind Lane to the edge of the operational IBF site, which was temporarily closed during construction but has now reopened to the public. The footpath will remain the only part of the Eastern Parcel that will be open to public access, with the rest of the land dedicated to biodiversity enhancement.
Through engagement with the local community to date, it is understood there is a desire to maintain the eastern land as a green space. The Department for Transport shares this vision for the site and, as part of a further submission, is proposing to create a local biodiversity asset on the site.
Environment and landscaping on the Eastern Parcel
The design of Sevington East would focus on bringing landscape and biodiversity enhancements to a once arable field. This area would contain native species, with a mosaic of habitat areas including species rich wildflower meadows, and open managed grassland with shrubs, scrub and scattered individual trees. Denser areas of tree and shrub planting would also be incorporated, particularly along field boundaries increasing visual screening with wider environmental benefits. A bund extension and berm construction would be incorporated into the design, reprofiling and softening earthworks to a shallower slope, helping better integrate the landscape. These bunds and berms would be planted with shrubs and intermittent trees.
Rather than trucking away excavated stockpile material, a more sustainable approach will be implemented to reutilise the earth for landscaping works on site. The stockpile material will also be used to construct the wildlife ponds and wet scrapes, creating small undulating pockets of landform which will provide valuable microclimates to support invertebrates and amphibians. This would also help avoid disturbing below ground archaeology which is believed to be located within the eastern field.
While no additional public access is proposed as part of the submission, access to the existing public footpath will be retained. Users of the footpath will be able to enjoy open views across the countryside and catch a glimpse of wildlife as it flourishes.
The retained hedge along Highfield Lane
Frequently asked questions
What is the role of the inland border facility?
The site acts as a location for checking movements of goods inbound (Defra and HMRC) and outbound (HMRC only). Each location includes parking areas for HGVs and other vehicles as well as security measures and facilities to enable the checking of vehicles and goods entering and exiting the sites. There are also temporary office buildings, staff and driver welfare amenities.
Why this location?
With its location on the M20, approximately 80km (50 miles) south east of London and 30km (19 miles) west of Dover, the site provides direct connectivity to the Dover Straits ports, including the Port of Dover and the Eurotunnel.
Will construction and operation of the site impact
local communities?
HGVs that access the site do not pass by residential properties. Landscaping is being established to provide mitigation from visual impacts and the installation of noise barriers will mitigate against noise impacts. Engagement with community neighbours adjacent to the site will be ongoing throughout the process.
What type of vehicles use the inland border facility?
The inland border facility is used by HGVs, cars and vans, including staff vehicles.
Are refrigerated vehicles expected at the inland border facility?
Provision is available for refrigerated vehicles. No idling is permitted by vehicles as engines of all stationary vehicles must be switched off while on site. Refrigerated vehicles may plug in to power hook ups on site should they need to maintain temperature while on site.
Are vehicles being inspected at the inland border facility?
There are inspection bays on site and the time required for each varies. HGVs called to the site for SPS checks may be subject to documentary, visual and physical inspections. Inspections on site (conducted by HMRC or Defra) may take up to eight hours.
Is this site needed in addition to the Waterbrook site?
The dual use of Sevington and Waterbrook sites as inland border facilities sites ceased in February 2021. Waterbrook will remain as a contingency measure in the event that the Sevington site is not available until the 31 December 2022.
Will consignments be unloaded at the inland border facility?
There are examination facilities on site, and it is anticipated that some consignments that are brought to the site will need a physical examination by both HMRC and Defra.
Are any hazardous materials brought on to the inland border facility?
An Operational Management Plan has been developed for the inland border facility which explains how the site will be managed and operated safely, including in relation to any hazardous materials. A summary of the OMP is available here
How is traffic managed?
The number of HGVs that can be stationed at Sevington at any one time is limited to 1,700 for 6 months, reducing to 950 HGVs after July 2021.
Traffic impacts on the local and strategic road network have been assessed and managed in conjunction with local and national stakeholders.
There is ongoing monitoring and reporting of any traffic effects on neighbouring roads caused by vehicles travelling to and from the Sevington Inland Border Facility. Where necessary, mitigation is implemented through the Traffic Management Plan (TMP).