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Plans unveiled for a community project on derelict land in Ashford •
Key 1 Bed 2 Bed 3 Bed
Site access - There are a number of access routes onto the site, but vehicular access is potentially limited:
Community Sheds
Parking Parking
open green community park
Affordable residential homes
35 affordable homes, as a mixture of both houses and flats.
commercial and workshop units
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Ashford Borough Council has launched a public consultation into ambitious plans to develop derelict land at the rear of Eastmead Avenue which often attracts flytipping and anti-social behaviour. The council is proposing to create a multi-purpose site which will include a community project aimed at combating isolation in older people, a brand new parkland area, additional parking, a small number of commercial units for start-up businesses, and 35 affordable homes comprising of a mix of houses, flats and town houses. The housing will be the enabler for the other proposed improvements on the site, which is a derelict patch of land that is currently overgrown and drab and has become an area used for fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour. It is no longer allotment land, having been declassified by the Government for the purpose of potential development some time ago. It is currently divided in two – there is land that was previously used for allotments to the west of the site, and to the east there is hard standing which was previously used by the Coneybeare Engineering Company. The site has the potential to provide better green space, much-needed affordable homes and community facilities. It is also well placed to make use of the cycle lanes into town. The Council is planning to develop the site into distinct but linked areas: •
A park and enhanced green space.
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A community area for the Community Sheds Project, also referred to as ‘Shedders’ and ‘Men in Sheds’. This project aims to tackle isolation and loneliness in older people, providing them a space to connect, converse and create.
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A commercial area, with sensitively-clad shipping containers offering a place for small business start-ups to trade.
Cllr Andrew Buchanan, portfolio holder for Housing, said: “There are currently around 1,500 people on our waiting list for affordable housing. Like every other authority in the UK, we must do our bit to try and alleviate the housing issues that we face and we are committed to delivering as much affordable housing as possible. “These are very exciting and bold plans that will transform this derelict area of land and I would urge local residents to have their say and help us to shape the final proposals.” 3-stage public consultation
The Council’s housing services team is undertaking three consultations in relation to the site, to best capture the views and thoughts of the community. The current consultation represents our initial stage one consultation where we share the site vision and explain the kinds of things we have considered thus far. It also includes a view from the Council’s Planning department as part of the pre-application process that we have engaged with. The first stage runs until 22 July. Stage two will be presenting a revised plan based on the feedback we gather from the public during stage one, and stage three will be the formal consultation as part of the planning application process. We will make the consultations as accessible as possible to all and hope to include a face-to-face event as part of the second stage of the consultation. What do you think?
Your views will help us to determine how we proceed. What do you think of the number of homes? What do you think about the parking? What do you think about the proposed commercial use? We would really welcome your feedback on the initial vision we have for the site. Printed copies of a consultation questionnaire have been delivered to surrounding homes and they can be returned by post or the public can visit our consultation portal at www.ashford.gov.uk/consultations and respond online. If you leave your details any questions you raise can be answered.
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