Kentish Express Ashford & District
Abandoned site may turn into 34 flats
An abandoned town centre building could be demolished to make way for flats, new plans reveal.
Ashford Borough Council’s property company has unveiled a proposal to knock down Swanton House in Elwick Road, replacing it with 34 apartments across two blocks up to four storeys high.
Neighbouring the Ashford College, the pre-1920s structure housed Kent Social Service facilities until 2008, when a fire safety regulation breach forced its closure.
Before that, during the First World War, Swanton House served as a military hospital for war pensioners.
The 30-room building went up for auction last February with a guide price of £600,000 but was snapped up prior to the sale.
The Kentish Express later revealed the council’s property company - A Better Choice for Property Ltd - was the new owner.
The proposal submitted earlier this month will see the building demolished if approved, with modern brick and glass-fronted buildings replacing it.
Bosses also snapped up the neighbouring Conyers building last year and there were plans to demolish that site to make room for more parking, but it will now be retained.
The Kentish Express understands A Better Choice for Property spent £875,000 on the Conyers and Swanton House buildings.
Under the new plan, one of the two proposed apartment blocks will face Elwick Road, with the other looking out over the Memorial Gardens at the back of the site.
In the attached planning statement, the applicant writes: “The changing development context to Elwick Road and the presence of the Commercial Quarter at Dover Place is one where a modern architectural style is to be expected.
“Materials, strong detailing, decoration and colour will be crucial to ensure a modern replacement building which preserves the character of the conservation area.”