Kentish Express Ashford & District
Promise to make cash available for precinct revamp
Councillors say they will stump up some cash in order to give a shopping precinct a facelift after it was likened to a “mini Beirut”.
Last September the Kentish Express reported residents’ concerns that Bockhanger Square in Bybrook was becoming an eyesore blighted by anti-social behaviour.
The complex was built in 1965 and includes a row of shops and takeaways, a library and a community hall.
Ashford Borough Council had put forward plans to regenerate the area off Bybrook Road and Belmont Road in a scheme similar to the regeneration of the Stanhope estate.
The plans were shelved in 2013 because council bosses said the project wasn’t commercially viable, despite the then deputy council leader Gerry Clarkson’s claim that it was an opportunity for the community to “have something really special”.
Residents say their area was left “forgotten” while the council focussed its cash spending on more glamorous projects elsewhere across the borough.
Among t hose who were angered was Kentish Express historian Steve Salter whose mother used to run the fish and chip shop there. He compared it to a “mini Beirut”.
Last month Cllr Andrew Buchanan (Con), who represents Bybrook ward, said steps are being taken to solve the problems.
He told the community forum’s Cllr Andrew Buchanan said steps are being taken to solve the problems highlighted in this newspaper, right newsletter: “From the correspondence I receive and by talking to residents there are two main problems in the ward, namely an increase in anti-social behaviour and the need to regenerate the area.
“In a way the two problems are linked. A few years ago there was a consultation process which regrettably stalled, as a financially viable option which retained the community centre facility could not be found.”
He said he has met with Alison Oates from the Community Safety Unit at Ashford and PCSO Nikki Potter to discuss what can be done to curb the problems.
He also admitted that Bockhanger Square is “tired looking” and said he has had talks with KCC Cllr Jim Wedgbury and Cllr Luke Powell who represent the neighbouring Bockhanger ward.
Cllr Buchanan said that if no regeneration scheme was forthcoming, then the trio will look to use their own members funds from Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council to give the area a facelift.
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