Kentish Express Ashford & District
Owners submit fresh plan to turn hotel into housing
Two prominent buildings could be facing demolition. Developers want to bulldoze the Croft Hotel in Kennington and Wolfson House in Wye, reports
A 17-room bed-and-breakfast hostelry could be demolished to make way for houses after plans were submitted to the council.
The Croft Hotel in Canterbury Road, Kennington, would be knocked down and replaced with four nine-bedroom family homes.
A previous plan to knock down the buildings to create 14 homes was rejected by Ashford Borough Council in 2007, but approval to knock down buildings on the site were approved in 2010 and 2011 – though the permission has since expired.
According to agent Hobbs Parker, the proposals have been drawn up along with advice from Kent County Council highways officers, who have concerns about the number of cars using the site opposite the junction with The Street.
The owners of Garden of England Hotels Ltd also completed a valuation and viability report, in which it is suggested that the interiors of the hotel are dated but that the building itself is fine.
But the report by Porters Intrinsic on behalf of the hotel group suggests that interest in businesses such as The Croft is “at a low ebb”.
The Croft has 17 rooms and a lounge and bar.
It also contains the La Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant, and is a popular venue for weddings and special family celebrations and occasions.
A number of prominent gardens and historical attractions are located in the surrounding area, including Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Sissinghurst Gardens, making it a wonderful location for a leisurely break.
It is near exits 9 and 10 of the M20, 15 minutes from the Eurotunel, 20 minutes from Dover, and 5 minutes by car from Ashford International train station.
To view the plans, visit the planning section at ashford.gov. uk and search for 17/00479/AS.
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