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accommodation in the Pantiles has been completed and the site is under construction for 127 new residential apartments, community and commercial space to form 1887 The Pantiles. Completion is due in Summer 2020.
Major housing developments are also underway in Hawkenbury (east of Royal Tunbridge Wells) and in Paddock Wood. Work has commenced on site for the first phase of
the Hawkenbury Farm development. In addition, there is currently an application pending to provide an additional 8 homes which would result in a total of 243 homes. Work is progressing at Mascalls Court Farm in Paddock Wood. In October 2018, planning permission was granted for 309 homes. Berkeley Homes will also be submitting an application for the delivery of an additional 113 new homes.
Following a ballot in late 2018, Royal Tunbridge Wells Business Improvement District (BID) was officially launched in April 2019. Over a five-year period the BID will be working to deliver initiatives under the priority themes, identified by businesses and set out in the BID’s Business Plan: Business Support, Events, Promotion & Marketing and Parking & Accessibility.
The council and Kent County Council are continuing to work on projects to improve cycle infrastructure. Phase 1 of the improvements to the A26 route between Tonbridge and Royal Tunbridge Wells was completed in 2018 and work is progressing to make improvements to the 21st Century Way route between Royal Tunbridge Wells town centre and the North Farm Estate.
For more information:
business@tunbridgewells.gov.uk
East Kent
Ashford
The Borough Council has officially adopted its Local Plan to 2030 which outlines key development to deliver strategic residential and employment sites. It aims to deliver over 13,000 homes and 63 hectares of new employment land linked to the creation of 11,100 jobs.
Ashford is one of the first councils nationally to take a proactive approach to facilitating the installation of optical fibre broadband to the premises with a dedicated policy in
its Local Plan. The aim is to help developers, residents and businesses reap the benefits of broadband.
The pace of economic growth is accelerating in Ashford
– Kent’s number one business location. When the council acquired International House and sites adjoining the International Station in 2014, it created the Commercial Quarter. This key business hub is located 38 minutes from London, with direct connections to Europe’s major cities via Eurostar. Connect 38, the largest office block to be built in Kent for 20 years, opened in the Commercial Quarter
in summer 2018. Constructed by Quinn Estates, working alongside George Wilson Holdings, the 80,500 sq ft office block has now attracted blue chip companies PageSuite, Towergate Insurance, MLM Group and Wilkins Kennedy.
Next door is the council-owned Coachworks, which opened in autumn 2019. These disused industrial buildings have been transformed into an exciting mixed-use campus providing co-working space aimed at start-up firms, an event space and a food and drink destination. Award-winning London architect Carl Turner (Pop Brixton and Peckham Levels) is retained to transform and run the site.
The town centre Elwick Place cinema and leisure complex has been opening in phases since December 2018, with a mix of restaurant and other tenants taking space in a 9,290m2 (100,000ft2) scheme owned and funded by the council.
Built by Stanhope PLC and anchored by a Picturehouse cinema and a Travelodge, other tenants include food and drink specialist Macknade and the UK’s first Dansaki Afro- Caribbean restaurant.
A host of developments are transforming Victoria Way, including a newly-opened craft brewery and visitor centre from Curious Drinks Limited, the beer and cider subsidiary of Chapel Down winery. The company’s investment is enabling it to grow its domestic and international distribution. Also on Victoria Way, construction is progressing at Victoria Point, where a 120 bedroom hotel, 216 apartments and three retail units are taking shape. This follows the opening of a 1,719m2 (18,500ft2) ALDI superstore in autumn 2018. To the east of Victoria Way the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet, Ashford, is proudly showing off its newly-opened 9,290m2 (100,000ft2) extension, the result of a £90m investment by McArthurGlen, Europe’s leading owner and manager of designer outlets.
The expansion brings 500 jobs and 50 new fashion, food and homeware brands, a new food piazza and a redesigned, interactive children’s play area to complement the retail offer in Ashford’s town centre.
Nearby is the former Ashford Railway Works, where developer Quinn Estates intends to transform the 8.09ha (20acre) site by adding film and TV studios, a 180 bedroom hotel, office space and apartments. Quinn has teamed
up with The Creative District Improvement Company to manage the site and is reported to be negotiating with a number of potential global entertainment giants about taking space, including streaming firm Netflix. An application was submitted in October.
BizSpace, the UK’s largest provider of flexible workspace, is behind plans to add additional commercial accommodation at Eureka Park, close to J9 of the M20. This is in response to demand for high-quality office space in key locations along the M20 corridor in Kent.
Ashford Borough Council’s approach is a key driver in this landscape of investment and business confidence, with the ‘AshfordFor’ inward investment campaign succeeding in stimulating interest and attracting investors (www.ashfordfor. com). The council’s expansion of its property portfolio is focused on boosting the availability of new commercial
and industrial space. In 2018 the council signed a deal with Gallagher Properties to build a 28-unit business park in Carlton Road.
New housing schemes are providing high quality homes for Ashford’s fast-growing population. The Borough’s population is due to rise from 128,000 to 150,000 by 2030 which is reflected in the recently adopted Local Plan.
Modelled on garden city principles, the 5,750-home development at Chilmington Green is coming forward over the next 20 years, with the first phase of homes now on the market. The scheme will include four new primary schools, one secondary school, plus retail and commercial space in a leafy setting.
The first residents are moving into Riverside Park, built by developer GRE Assets on a former Powergen site in Victoria Way. Work started on delivering 246 apartments and 26
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