Page 28 - KPRM 2019

Kent County Council, Medway Council & Kent’s District Council Commentary
Infrastructure and Regeneration
Continued
Maidstone
Maidstone is fast-becoming the commercial hub of the South East and the business capital of Kent. As a pro- business local authority, Maidstone Borough Council is committed to supporting numerous developments, from offices and industrial units to housing and infrastructure, to serve the growing economy and transform Maidstone into a truly 21st century County Town.
Planning permission has been granted for the Council’s proposed Innovation Centre at Kent Medical Campus.
Construction will commence in early 2020 and the centre will be ready to welcome its first tenants in 2022. Situated beside Junction 7 of the M20, it will provide 3,437m2 (37,000ft2)
of flexible office space, facilities and business support for SMEs operating in the life science, healthcare and med-tech sectors. Once completed, it is expected to support around 270 jobs and generate a further £120m of additional gross value added to the local economy over the next decade.
A new warehouse development has been completed at Aylesford Business Park comprising seven trade units to provide space for the industrial and logistics sectors. Situated to the north west of Maidstone and adjacent to the M20, the scheme offers flexible light industrial and trade warehouse units.
Marks & Spencer has signed a lease on its flagship store at Eclipse Park where 300 jobs will be created at the store at M20 Junction 7. Construction work has already begun and the deal agreed with Gallagher Properties will see the new 7,808m2 (84,044ft2) store open in 2020. In addition, the development will also unlock Section 106 developer
contributions to be used on a range of schemes to improve the town centre.
Plans are progressing for the development of five new office units at Abbey Court on land off Junction 6 of the M20. The proposed scheme of 4,600m2 (49, 513ft2) will make a significant contribution to Maidstone’s economy by delivering an attractive and modern working environment.
Following the success of the £3.5m High Street redevelopment works completed in 2012/ 2013, the Borough Council has undertaken additional public realm improvements to boost the vitality of other areas. More than £3m has been invested in Week Street and Gabriel’s Hill/Lower Stone Street to create a more pedestrian-friendly environment. The designs draw upon the rich heritage of Maidstone, including a timeline running all the way from Maidstone East Station
to Palace Avenue, marking key points in Maidstone’s history.
Improvements to Maidstone East station will soon allow passengers to benefit from improved cycle parking facilities, as part of a £330,000 project to encourage rail commuters to incorporate cycling into their journey. Additional cycle parking spaces have been installed as part of a new cycle hub, as well as CCTV, lighting and repair stands. Pedestrian links between the station and the town centre will also be improved as part of the redevelopment of the station’s forecourt. Kent County Council is delivering a project to link the station forecourt to Week Street and extend the recent improvements to the town’s public realm.
The council has completed the regeneration of Lenworth House, transforming the disused Georgian property into 14 new apartments as part of its commitment to deliver high- quality housing. A significant project for the council, the project delivers town centre regeneration and much-needed housing. The apartments have proved extremely popular and all the units have been let.
Maidstone is open for business and continues to attract significant investment thanks to its growing reputation as a thriving business destination that offers leisure and lifestyle opportunities.
For more information:
www.businessinmaidstone.co.uk
Proposal for Kent Medical Campus Innovation Centre.
26 Kent Property Market Report 2019
PHOTO: MAIDSTONE BOROUGH COUNCIL