Kentish Express Ashford & District
Council industrial estate buyout
Council chiefs have backed a plan to take over an industrial estate to help start-up businesses find suitable premises.
The former Rimmel cosmetics factory in Carlton Road was devastated by fire in 2007, and was derelict until the Gallagher Group revealed a plan to create a concrete and aggregate depot on the site in 2017.
The firm also put forward a planning application for 28 light industrial units in the area, one of which is already home to Ashford Borough Council’s (ABC) in-house grounds maintenance company Aspire.
But now the authority has agreed a plan to buy up the site from the Gallagher Group, so it can earn a rental income from the units and provide premises for new businesses, as the council-owned Ellingham Industrial Estate is now over-subscribed.
ABC says there is no more room for Ellingham to be expanded and that the mix of units at Carlton Road, ranging from 750 sq ft to 3,500 sq ft, will help businesses in the borough.
Portfolio holder for corporate property, Cllr Graham Galpin, said: “The lack of availability of industrial property to developing businesses in the whole of Kent is seen by many as a weakness in the county.
“By purchasing and managing the properties proposed at Carlton Road there will be additional opportunities for businesses to invest and grow.
“The emphasis on this project is to continue to support business growth, which is a guarantee for the future of our borough.”
Gallagher Group chief executive Nick Yandle said it was a sign the council is taking an active approach to boosting the economy.
He said: “In recent years the lack of new commercial development has meant the delivery of jobs has fallen way behind the growth in housing numbers.
“Our market research shows there is strong demand for units such as the ones proposed at Carlton Business Park and we hope to get the development under way in the next few weeks.
“The decision also makes sense when you hear councils need to create long-term value and alternative sources of revenue to support and protect important public services.”