Kentish Express Ashford & District
Mixed reaction to plan for huge car park behind bowling alley
Opinions are split over a huge multi-storey car park planned for the town centre.
The plan would see the ground level Station Road car park behind Hollywood Bowl converted into a mammoth 500-space facility which would be lit up at night.
Some think Ashford Borough Council’s five-floor proposal will be a good addition to the town and that the artist’s impressions look modern, but others have raised fears over its position.
Authority bosses need to find more capacity as spaces will be lost in Vicarage Lane car park if the proposed redevelopment of the Mecca Bingo site goes ahead.
ABC wants to partially demolish the ex-Odeon, flattening the rear of the landmark building and knocking through the former entrance in the Lower High Street to make a pedestrian route leading to a new public square on the car park.
Robin Gough of Beaver Road says he likes how the Station Road multi-storey looks.
“It’s probably needed with Ashford’s growing population,” he said.
“I don’t drive anymore but I can see there’s lots of issues around Ashford for drivers - the road infrastructure’s just not there for all this expansion.”
Others are wary that the striking design may not be fully realised upon completion.
Kennington resident Rachel Norris remarked: “It looks very modern.
“When I first saw the pictures of the Picturehouse cinema mesh I thought it looked nice, but since they’ve done it I don’t think it looks very good.
“It’s definitely needed if they do the Mecca Bingo plan, as they’ll be getting rid of the Vicarage Lane car park.”
Aldington resident Peter Morris-Kelso also referenced the town centre regeneration scheme but noted the possibility of the former Mecca Bingo site becoming a listed building, which could scupper the Vicarage Lane plans.
The Cinema Theatre Association (CTA) has written to Historic England calling for the landmark to be given Grade II-listed status.
Mr Morris-Kelso said: “The appearance is dreadful and the location is awful for those who can’t walk long distances uphill, and getting out of the car park during busy periods is going to be a nightmare.
“But because ABC has submitted the plans to its own planning committee, it’s pretty much guaranteed to happen.
“We can only hope Peter Wylde and the CTA are successful in getting the building listed.”
Mr Morris-Kelso’s thoughts were echoed by his fellow Aldington resident Francoise Montford, who also raised concerns over the car park’s accessibility for those with disability.
She said: “It is too far from the shopping area.
“Having to cross a very busy road carrying shopping is concerning, not only for disabled people and older people with restricted mobility but also parents and carers with pushchairs and young children.
“Ashford Borough Council lacks the awareness of the complexity of disabled people’s needs and, with an increasing ageing population, those of older people.”
If built, authority bosses say they will kit out the facility with barriers and number plate-reading cameras, allowing drivers to make payment online or using a debit card.
To view the outline planning application submitted by ABC, visit www.ashford.gov.uk and search for the 19/01112/AS application.
The deadline for comments is Saturday (August 31).
■ See letters on page 19