Our heritage should be kept alive

Regarding the article about Swanton House which could face demolition (College has option to buy derelict house, KE, February 23), I have to ask why we in Ashford are so keen to destroy our local heritage?

In around 2004 it was hoped this building could become Grade II listed because of interesting features inside, believed to be Victorian.

On the first floor were a number of original fireplaces, complete with tile surrounds, and what I would call a grand staircase, plus a meeting room with a marvellous decorated ceiling. I wonder what has happened to all these gems of Victorian architecture?

In 2004 it had a full in-depth survey, which is passed with full marks and as for fire regulations it passed the inspection every time with fire drills carried out on a regular basis.

This building should have been converted into flats or a pair of semidetached houses, just what it was originally designed for, and so keeping a small piece of Ashford’s heritage alive. C J Chamberlain, Cradlebridge Drive, Willesborough

I want to outline what I consider to be at best underhanded behaviour by Ashford Borough Council (ABC) whilst looking into the proposed development of the old Ashford College in Jemmett Road.

There has been nothing but double standards and misdirection from our local council who are not in any way looking after current residents. While all are in agreement that the site needs to be redeveloped, it seems that ABC are behaving in a way that is more akin to a dictatorship than a democracy.

Late in 2016, ABC allowed plans for the site to be renewed without consultation with residents, stating nothing had changed. Weeks later they contacted residents saying developers wanted to remove Tree Preservation Orders which were part of the original plans – is this not a change to the original plans? Despite objections from residents, ABC passed the proposals and had even told developers before the consultation deadline, the amendment would go through.

The reason given is the environment has changed in the last six years. If that is the case, the whole development should have gone back to consultation.What ABC has not told residents, but has already engaged with developers, is the school behind the old college is to be knocked down and houses built including the playing fields.

Access is to be from Jemmett Road, bringing further chaos to the area. The councillor for the area seems not to be bothered with representing local residents and is just happy to let ABC get on with whatever they like.

Residents must be put first by ABC rather than trying to attract new residents and expand. Local infrastructure is crumbling, amenities are not a consideration and our environment is under pressure yet ABC just wants to concentrate on the resident of the future.

It also seems the current councillors are happy to collect their allowances rather than represent the people who put them there. What is needed is a group of councillors who will put existing residents first and actually manage ABC rather than the current hands-off approach. I for one will be looking carefully at who I vote for and it will not be a mainstream party who are just happy with the old boys network. S Ansell, Kingsnorth Road, South Ashford refusing to act on advice given some 15 years ago after the first major Operation Stack we are at a situation where once we arrive in Dover/Eurotunnel we have no available parking.

We as drivers are forced to park on grass verges and industrial estates, all without basic facilities like water and ablutions. How is this being allowed in 2017 goes beyond belief.

The transport industry is a vital cog is the lives of many many people in Kent yet everybody seems to think that this is an issue that will sort itself out. Wrong. Mason Stephens, Ashford

Swanton House next to the new Ashford College building