Empty shops could become block of flats

Eye-catching plans to turn abandoned shops in the town centre into a sixstorey block of flats have been submitted to the council.

Developers want to extend the Trafalgar House building at the bottom of Bank Street, close to the junction with Elwick Road.

They want to build a sixstorey corner extension, with retail space on the ground floor and 14 onebedroom flats above.

Bosses at OSG Architecture have drawn up the plans on behalf of the Shaptor Capital company.

Director Jason Chandler said: “We and our clients have worked closely with the planners at Ashford Borough Council in order to conceive a scheme that has a modern aesthetic, but also ties in well with the existing Trafalgar House building, which has recently been refurbished and turned into apartments.

“While our clients already had a planning approval for a development in this location we have now come up with an amended design which has a completely different internal configuration and also allows for an additional storey of accommodation on the top floor.

“To reach the current stage we have met with the local planners and undertaken an iterative consultation process with them during the past year, concluding in the current proposals.”

Developers say it is not yet known what will take up the retail space on the ground floor, but 24 residents will be catered for in the one and two-bed flats above.

The majority of flats contain large balconies overlooking Elwick Square with glazed balustrades.

The former Money Shop and Ashford Tool Centre buildings would be knocked down to make way for the development.

Mr Chandler said: “Should our application be successful then our clients would like to begin work on the project immediately.

“Both we and our clients feel that this is a very prominent spot within the town and it is a shame that it has been left in its previous state for so long.

“But we are very much looking forward to providing this positive contribution to the town, which will complement all the other great buildings that have been invested in recently.”

No car parking space is offered with the development.

A public consultation closes on Sunday, October 8.

Visit www.ashford.gov.uk and search for the 17/01357/ AS application to comment.

TO THIS? Plans to transform Trafalgar House in Ashford have been submitted