Kentish Express Ashford & District
Ashford Outlet expansion approved - but some restaurants banned
Plans to almost double the size of the Ashford Designer Outlet have been given the green light.
Councillors unanimously agreed to permit the planning application that will see the shopping mall expand by 100,000 sq ft at last week’s planning committee.
However, this does not mean that improving Ashford’s town centre isn’t the council’s top priority.
A condition of the application will see more than 40 restaurants banned from moving into the revamped Outlet once it is complete.
Furthermore, an approved list of permitted brands which can set up shop in the centre if they chose has also been handed to owners McArthurGlen.
Banned restaurants include Wetherspoon’s, Prezzo, Cafe Rouge, TGI Fridays, Zizzi and Nando’s.
Approved shops include Gucci, Dior, Barbour, Coast, Hollister, White Stuff and Cath Kidston.
The aim of these lists is to make sure that much needed footfall is not taken away from the town centre, the County Square shopping centre and the proposed multi-million pound development of Elwick Place, by grouping all the “attractive” restaurants at the Outlet.
The planning application states: “It is logical and desirable for a remodelled and expanded Designer Outlet Centre (DOC) to be the subject of a single set of updated planning controls that seek to ensure that the operation of the DOC does not give rise to significant adverse impact.”
The lists are subject to change and will be reviewed on a time base or if floorspace becomes occupied in the town centre.
Another strict condition drawn up by the council states that at least 85% of the shops have to provide discounts of up to 35% off, while the other 15% of shops need to allow discount of 25% off.
Cllr Gerry Clarkson, leader of Ashford Borough Council, said: “We are pleased to approve plans for the Designer Outlet expansion, which will transform it into one of the UK’s premier outlet centres.
“The council welcomes the fact that another major investor in Ashford is showing so much confidence in the town’s future.
“At the same time we are working hard to make sure that our town centre prospers.”
Work to improve and enlarge the Ashford Designer Outlet could start as early as next year.
It will be the first time the centre, designed by award winning arhcitect Sir Richard Rogers, has expanded since it opened in 2000 - which is referred to as phase 1.
The remodel will include demolishing part of the existing mall, where the coach drop-off point and food court are, to make room for the extra retail units, restaurants and a visitor centre.
The centre will also feature living walls, designed to connect the mall with Kent’s status as the ‘Garden of England’.
The planning report states: “The new buildings will vary significantly in terms of appearance from the existing development.
“In keeping with the concept of Ashford being located in the Garden of England, the applicant cites the making of a bold decision to provide a continuous facade of living ‘green walls; across the entire length of the proposed extension and its junction with the existing DOC.”
The construction will add 38 new shops and an additional 500 jobs will be created, bringing the outlet’s total workforce to 1,500.
A further six new restaurants and cafes will be added, as well as a new and relocated children’s play area.
A new car park, south of the existing centre and the Aylesford Stream, will provide an extra 727 car spaces and 34 motorcycle parking bays.
This means the total car parking space net increase would be 324 spaces, with a weekday total of 1,784 spaces and a weekend total of 2,418 spaces.
Building works are expected to start next year, with 170 construction staff being employed in order
to create the new extension.
The new expanded Outlet is then set to open in 2018.
Owners McArthurGlen has also committed to the council that it will fund a shuttle bus linking the outlet, the town centre and the international train station at weekends and during the school holidays.
There are also plans for a third phase to expand the Outlet into the overflow car park in Newtown Road, as well as on a small piece of land next to the car park.
It is not known when an application for this part of the development will be submitted.