Symbol of town’s regeneration

Year on and new Ashford College is looking good

What a difference a year makes.

The new Ashford College building is certainly taking shape and the latest construction photos show just how much the site has changed in a short space of time.

Planning permission was granted in October 2015, and demolition teams began tearing down the old building on the corner of Elwick Road and Station Road shortly afterwards.

Fast forward, and the skeleton of the new building has shot up, bearing a striking resemblance to the 2012 artist’s impression.

The work is being completed by BAM Construction with a large amount of the cost being covered by Ashford Borough Council (ABC).

Last month, ABC’s cabinet agreed to grant the college £3 million to complete the construction, in a bid to bring the development closer to the finish line.

A spokesman for the council said the money would fund both phases of the development and allow the current Jemmett Road site in South Ashford to move all its operations to the new building.

He added: “This provides efficiency savings for the project and greatly improves the standards of educational provision in the borough.”

Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, director of finance and resources for the Hadlow Group, added: “We are delighted ABC are engaged and supporting this key project for Ashford. This is more than just a project for education; this is a symbol for the significant regeneration programme for the town and is a fundamental part of ABC’s Big Eight programme.

“The new campus is designed to fulfil the current and future needs of students, staff and our many stakeholders.”

Construction of the £16m edu- cation centre is expected to be complete next year, with the first students starting there in September 2017.

Run by the Hadlow College Group, the college will run courses for more than 700 students in the manufacturing, construction and service sectors.

The campus will include a teaching block, dining hall, laboratories, a hair and beauty salon, plus an art and media studio.

The Jemmett Road site, which the new college replaces, is destined to be developed for housing.

What do you think of the new-look college? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk

Site of the new Ashford College main entrance; work is being undertaken by BAM Construction with a large amount of the multimillion-

Once planing permission had been given, demolition teams began tearing down the old building on the corner of Elwick Road and Station Road in October last year