Kentish Express Ashford & District
Work continues as college takes shape
A new image has been released showing what the main entrance of the new Ashford College will look like once construction is finished.
And a time lapse video footage of the construction shows 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 original artist’s impression.
The £26 million project is being undertaken 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.
The council says 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.
Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, director of finance and resources for the Hadlow College Group, which will operate the college, said: “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.
Construction of the education centre is expected to be complete next year, with the first students starting there in September 2017.
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.
To view the time lapse construction video visit http:// www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/ news/video-symbol-of-townsregeneration-101895/