Former cosmetic firm site to get industrial makeover

A former cosmetics factory site will be transformed into a concrete and aggregate depot and new industrial warehouses.

The old Rimmel Factory land in Carlton Road has been derelict since it was gutted by fire in 2007.

In April contractors Gallagher Properties began levelling the site ahead of the proposed new development, which will include 12 new warehouses for potential retail and trade companies.

Meanwhile the bulk of the five-acre site will be transformed into a grounds maintenance depot with facilities for making ready mix concrete and aggregate.

Gallagher Properties spokesman Nick Yandle believes the scheme could create as many as 200 new jobs, and provide building materials for some of Ashford’s large construction sites.

But at the council planning meeting last week, Cllr Bernard Heyes raised concerns about the levels of parking provision in the plans.

He said: “Cobbs Wood Industrial Estate has a terrible problem of overspill parking in Loudon Way, Godinton Road and Repton Manor Road, the whole area.

“The aggregate depot has 30 jobs being created, but only 16 parking spaces. I deem that to be inadequate as well.”

Cllr Wedgbury also asked about the extended opening hours for the site compared to other businesses operating on the industrial estate, and questioned whether approving the new hours would set a precedent for other firms on Cobbs Wood.

Council officer Lois Jarrett said opening hours for other businesses would not be affected and said the provision of parking had been deemed to be suitable.

Members of the planning committee voted to approve the plans.

The site of the concrete and aggregate depot

The fire at the Rimmel Factory in 2007