Council Talk

Ashford remains the top recycling council in Kent, according to the latest Defra league tables. Since the council launched the new-look recycling service in 2013, the borough has been named the country’s most improved recycling authority.

We have been on a real journey in terms of our recycling figures, and are proud to remain top recycling authority for the second year running. We couldn’t have achieved such a dramatic change without the continued support of our residents, so the whole borough should be very proud.

I was also pleased to hear that our flagship sheltered housing scheme at Farrow Court, Ashford’s first fully dementia-friendly housing scheme, has just been recognised at the Kent Design and Development Awards. Farrow Court was joint winner of the Residential-Major category.

Phase one of the two-phase project was completed last year, providing the residents with 33 new, more energy efficient, homes built to the council’s space standards and lifetime homes standards. A further 71 homes are to be delivered, including 12 learning disability units and eight recuperative care units, which will enable people leaving hospital to stay there while a care package or adaptations are put in place in their own home.

In last week’s edition it was reported that I was against the conversion of offices to residential use. The fact is that I am not against this in principle, but I do have serious concerns about there being no planning controls in terms of reasonable space standards or parking provision. Whilst we recognise that there is an acute housing shortage we must still build accommodation that is fit for purpose.

As we start this new year, I am looking forward to what lies ahead. We have the new Ashford College opening, while work will start on other sites such as the Commercial Quarter, the Chapel Down brewery, an expanded Designer Outlet Centre as well as boutique cinema all of which should begin to create a more vibrant and engaging Ashford.

There is still more to be done, but we can all take heart from the significant improvements we have seen and the council will continue to focus on creating opportunities for economic growth, assisting businesses, providing leisure facilities and encouraging the building of quality homes.