Council wins exemption and protects 5,000 jobs

tcollins@thekmgroup.co.uk proposed that this area and its surrounding office buildings be exempted so that the project is not jeopardised.

ABC is one of only six local authorities outside London that been successful in gaining an exemption.

Council leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson said: “We are pleased to learn that Ashford has been successful in requesting that the area identified as being the Commercial Quarter of the town centre will be exempt from this policy change.

“This shows that Ashford continues to be at the forefront of safeguarding quality and economic development in the borough. “We know from speaking to businesses and developers that the connectivity that Ashford enjoys to London through the high speed rail line is a really attractive factor when companies want to invest in the town.

“It is exactly this level of infrastructure that will be key to the success of the CQ and we felt we had to move to protect the significant number of jobs that the regeneration project will bring.”

Plans for the CQ – a new 80,000 square metre office, retail and commercial space linking the town to Ashford International station – first emerged in 2006.

It will cover land between Tannery Lane and the railway station, including the current Dover Place car park to the frontage of the River Stour which runs alongside the area.

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk