Yet another withdrawal

Plans for the Drovers

Retail Park first surfaced in 2018 when Australian firm Bunnings was the proposed anchor store.

But when the DIY specialist pulled out of the UK market, it was replaced by The Range – a move which excited shoppers in Ashford who currently have to travel to Cheriton or Canterbury to visit a branch of the homeware chain.

Developer Castle City Estates had gained planning permission for the estate from Ashford Borough Council (ABC) in December 2018, but recently sold the site to Prescot Business Parks Limited, which it says has a “positive track record of delivering new units for Home Bargains around the UK”.

Before selling the plot, Castle City Estates’ Barry Henderson said in April 2019 how the retail park could open later this year.

It was described at the time as a “homewares hub”, with chains including Oak Furniture Land and ScS mooted as other possible tenants.

While the plans received unanimous support from councillors at the ABC planning committee meeting in 2018, the Central Ashford Community Forum raised concerns about traffic on the nearby Drovers roundabout.

However, a council officer assured the committee that Kent County Council had assessed the area to ensure the roads will not be too badly affected during peak hours.

When built, drivers will access the retail park from the same junction as John Lewis.

Years before the retail estate was considered, the Drovers Retail Park site was previously earmarked for an 800-space park and ride.