The Section 106 Agreement for the North Travis Perkins site in Victoria Crescent, signed last week, includes a contribution of £ 21,514 for the ‘Victoria Park Improvement Project’. This will be added to contributions of £ 270,002 from the Powergen site development, £ 150,000 from the Victoria Way development.
In addition to in excess of £ 440,000 from Section 106 contributions, the results of an application by Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for Parks for People funding are expected by the end of this month. Although there are, as yet, no confirmed detailed plans, ABC have an ambition to: refurbish the Hubert fountain and piazza; reintroduce or recognise lost cultural and natural heritage elements; provide a volunteers compound and other community facilities; and put in place a range of community events and activities including a new ‘Friends Group’ etc. from the HLF funding.
The Section 106 Contributions will be used for other elements of the Victoria Park and Watercress Fields Masterplan adopted by ABC’s Cabinet on 10 March 2016.
Section 106 contributions become payable by developers when dwellings are occupied. For all of the developments for which Victoria Park contributions are due, it is on occupation of the first dwelling. The Powergen contribution is payable in in proportion for each phase of the development.
Two applications were submitted for the development of the Travis Perkins sites 16/00981/AS and 16/00986/AS. The Section 106 Agreement has been signed on the former, allowing permission to be granted. Although the site is still owned by Travis Perkins, it appears from the agreement that the sale of the site to Ingleton Luxury Homes “La Scierie” Limited has been agreed. It is not known whether the Southern, riverside site has been sold.
Development details for the sites referred to in this post:
| Case Ref | Address | Description | Date posted |
| 16/00981/AS | Former Travis Perkins Trading Co Limited, Victoria Crescent | Erection of 31 residential apartments with car parking, associated access and landscaping | 6 July 2016 |
| 16/00986/AS | Former Travis Perkins Trading Co Ltd, Victoria Crescent, TN23 7HP | Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 28 flats with car parking, access and associated landscaping | 6 July 2016 |
| 15/01671/AS | Former Powergen site, Victoria Road | Hybrid application for five plots comprising: Full and detailed application for plots 1 and 2 comprising: erection of 400 dwellings, a retail kiosk/cafe unit (Use class A1/A3) and associated parking, public surface car park, plant and storage; together with landscaping and access works. Outline application with appearance and landscaping reserved with parameters for plots 3, 4 and 5 comprising: demolition of existing buildings/structures and erection of up to 260 dwellings, associated parking, plant and storage together with landscaping and access works | 16 January 2016 |
| 16/01157/AS | Former Pledges Mill and South Kent College Site and land south of junction of Beaver Road and, Victoria Road | Full planning application for development of a brewery, with shop, bar and restaurant (Use Classes B2/A1/A3/A4), three commercial units (Use Classes A1/A2/B1) and 216 residential units with associated parking, substations, landscaping and access works | 10 August 2016 |