Kentish Express Ashford & District
A first look at planned £1m community centre
Artist’s impressions have been released to show the £1 million community centre due to be built in Repton Park.
Ashford Borough Council (ABC) submitted a planning application for the former barracks site in Templer Way last year to build a ‘multi-purpose community facility.’
Repton Connect will be built with Section 106 funding that was granted as result of building the nearby housing development.
The centre will include a multiuse games area and will be able to host clubs, education courses, cooking workshops and social events.
The application also states plans for one large and one small football pitch, which may also be used by the neighbouring Repton Primary School.
Exactly what will go inside the building will be determined by the needs of the community, but the application suggests a health and fitness club, licensed bar and crèche could all be possible.
A council spokesman said: “Central to creating a community hub it is intended that the facility will be a safe place for people to meet, socialise and play.
“We are leading the project as part of our commitment to improve community and youth facilities across the borough working alongside the Repton Stakeholder Group.
“The group has been in existence for approximately two years and was brought together to help develop the design of the building, and decide the best way to involve the community and the community offer which will operate from the centre and in the lead up to it.
“We aim to reflect past, present and future and the diversity of the community into the design of the centre.
“Outside, we will look to keep many of the surrounding trees and develop a play trail across the site.
“In addition, nearby signage will have a natural appearance so it will sit elegantly within the environment.”
However, the planning application states that the design aims to be useful or practical rather than attractive, branding it ‘utilitarian.’
It states: “Ideally, it would have incorporated greater design innovation, particularly in terms of facade treatment. However, I appreciate that there are budgetary constraints.”
To see the plans visit planning. ashford.gov.uk and search application 15/01345/AS.