Kentish Express Ashford & District
More flats planned for town centre
More flats could be built in the town centre after developers revealed plans to convert the first and second floors of the former Merchant Chandler building.
Bosses want to turn the space currently occupied by Radio Ashford and artist John Harvey - into six apartments.
The Beehive clothing and Vape Chaos stores on the ground floor will remain open, but the floors above will be turned into flats if the plan is approved.
Developer Yeovil Ltd is behind the application, which was submitted to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) last month.
Part of the building - which is at the corner of North Street and the high street - is Grade II-listed.
Planning agent Urban Planning Practice says two one-bed flats, three two-bed and one three-bedroom are proposed.
It said: “The proposed internal and external alterations to the property have been designed to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the Grade II-listed building and would not cause harm to their setting.
“Due to the site’s constraints, it has not been possible to provide private outdoor amenity space in the form of balconies.
“As the site is a listed building, it is considered the inclusion of balconies would be harmful to the character and appearance of the building.
“The proposal seeks to maintain as many of the original features of the listed building as possible, including cornicing, fireplaces and original wooden flooring where possible.”
The application does not propose any parking spaces as developers say the development will be “car free”, but seven bicycle spaces are included in the scheme.
The spaces will be located in a dedicated, internal cycle storage area near the communal entrance to the site, according to the developers.
Beehive clothing owner Rebecca Green, who moved her business into the building in November, says she will continue to trade from the site.
“The new owner has put in an application to turn the floor above the shops into flats,” she said.
“I think it’s a shame because it’s a beautiful building but the new owners have been really good and let us lease the buildingatagoodcost.
“The community has got behind my business and they have been incredibly generous since moving here.”
Andrew Broughton - who lives in Hedgers Way, Kingsnorth welcomed the bicycle storage space.
He said: “Although it is a shame to be loosing the space as a shop, given there has been little interest in the retail space this makes sense to offer housing for people within the town centre.
“It is good to see that bike storage is being provided, although I would suggest some form of security measures are installed such as CCTV to prevent theft/ damage.”
Radio Ashford will move to another site in the town, but it is yet to be confirmed where the station will go.
To view the planning application online visit www.ashford. gov.uk and search 19/00225/AS.
The deadline for public comments is Sunday, March 17.
What do you think about the new flats plan for North Street? Email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk