Planning and Development

Halstow Way appropriation notice

southashfordcf 21 February 2019 0 Comments

Following our announcement that Ashford Borough Council have submitted a planning application for the construction of 17 affordable rented apartments on the Noakes Meadow public open space (refer to our post dated 26 October 2018), the Council have now published a notice of their intention to appropriate the site for the purpose.

Local Government Act 1972 Sections 121(1) & 122(2b)

Land known as land at Halstow Way

Notice is hereby given that Ashford Borough Council intends to appropriate for housing purposes land having an approximate area of 3,347 square metres at Halstow Way. This land consists of open space. A plan of the land is available to view at the Customer Contact Centre of Ashford Borough Council.

Any objections to the intended appropriation must be made in writing and addressed to: – Mr T W Mortimer, Corporate Director (Law and Governance) & Monitoring Officer, Ashtord Borough Council, Civic Centre,Tannery
Lane, Ashford, Kent, TN23 1 PL, quoting reference DSJ/H6-383

Objections must be received no later than 8th March 2019.

Dated this 7th February 2019.

T W Mortimer
Corporate Director (Law and Governance) & Monitoring Officer
Ashtord Borough Council

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, News, Planning and Development

Norman Road Scheme Consultation

southashfordcf 18 February 2019 2 Comments

A public consultation on a proposed residential scheme at East Stour Park, Norman Road, Ashford

The proposals are for a residential-led scheme including: –

Up to 240 apartments;
Associated car parking for the development;
Creation of riverside parkland and flood storage area;
Creation of a wetland park

Quinn Estates have organised a public exhibition to give local residents and stakeholders an opportunity to see plans of our proposal and to speak to core members of the project team. The aim is to understand the views and ideas of the local community so that the development proposals can evolve to take account of feedback.
Quinn Estates would like to invite elected representatives to attend, prior to the main consultation event to enable any questions/queries to be answered.

The events will be held on:

Wednesday 6th March 2019

Public Exhibition –

16:30 until 20:00.
At the Ashford Railway Club,
Bath Meadow, Beaver Road,
Ashford, Kent, TN23 7RR

For more information, please contact
01227 831 212 | www.quinn-estates.com | quinnestates@quinn-estates.com

Environment, News, Planning and Development

Victoria Park plans submitted

southashfordcf 16 February 2019 0 Comments

The planning application for proposals to be included in a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund for improvements to Victoria Park have been submitted for planning permission.

The proposals include the extension to existing nursery building to create new cafe provision. Improvements to entrances on public highway, resurfacing and extension to existing car park, new CCTV, lighting columns adjacent to new cafe, new feature play equipment. Restoration and repairs to landscape features – paths, planting, seating, ecological improvements etc., a new path along the boundary of Watercress Fields and the refurbishment of the listed Hubert Fountain.

Implimentation of the proposals is subject to the bid by Ashford Borough Council (ABC) to the Heritage Lottery Fund, which is expected to be submitted this month, being successful. The results of the bid are expected late summer of this year.

The ABC planning case reference is 19/00054/AS

Ashford Borough Council, Environment, News, Planning and Development, Victoria Park

Emerging ideas for the former Mecca Bingo site

southashfordcf 12 February 2019 0 Comments

Following the discussion at the June 2018 meeting of the South Ashford Community Forum, Ashford Borough Council have published emerging proposals for the former Mecca Bingo / Odeon site.

High streets up and down the country are facing challenging times due to online shopping and the changing way town centre are being used. This means they need to reinvent themselves and what they offer to residents and visitors.

The Council is looking to regenerate the town centre so that:

it is an attractive and safe place to live and visit, where people feel welcome and have a sense of community and belonging
it offers unique and fun experiences for everyone to enjoy in the daytime, evening and at night
it is a thriving place that is accessible, easy to navigate and well managed.

The former Mecca/Odeon site and the adjacent Vicarage Lane car park presents a unique opportunity to drive forward these objectives which could bring more people to the town centre and provide better facilities for residents.

The Council would like to hear your views.

To see more details and participate in the survey go to www.ashford.gov.uk/mecca

Ashford Borough Council, Consultations, News, Planning and Development

St. Stephen’s Walk plans amended

southashfordcf 20 December 2018 0 Comments

Comparison of original and amended proposals

Plans for accommodation for disabled adults have been amended following the protection of trees on the site in St. Stephen’s Walk.

The scheme, originally submitted to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) in April, comprises 16 sheltered housing units for profoundly disabled adults together with 6 staff flats. We reported on the confirmation of a tree protection order at the ABC Planning Committee meeting in November that prevented the original proposals being implemented.

Amended plans have now been submitted which alters the position of the main building to avoid the protected trees. The amended plans do not address South Ashford Community Forum’s comment objecting to kerbside refuse collection.

ABC Planning Case Reference: 18/00608/AS

Care, Environment, News, Planning and Development

Will tree protection stop St. Stephens Walk plans?

southashfordcf 15 November 2018 0 Comments

Visual from proposal

A tree protection order confirmed during Ashford Borough Council’s Planning Committee yesterday evening (14th November 2018) may prevent a plans for accommodation for profoundly disabled adults being permitted.

The tree protection order, ABC case reference 18/TPO/0008, protects 15 trees on the site boundaries of Land East of Lantern House, many of which are shown as being removed in documents accompanying a planning application for 16 apartments for disabled residents and 6 for staff (ABC Case reference 18/00608/AS). The tree protection order was made in July but was put before the Planning Committee for confirmation.

South Ashford Community Forum included a comment in their representation on the proposal expressing concern regarding the limited amount of open/garden space within the development.

Environment, News, Planning and Development

Halstow Way development application

southashfordcf 26 October 2018 1 Comment

View from open space

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has submitted a planning application for the construction of 17 affordable rented apartments on the Noakes Meadow public open space.

The application follows a consultation that we reported in February
https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2018/02/20/halstow-way-redevelopment-consultation/

The proposals have changed in that the number and mix of properties has changed

from 14 x 1 bedroom and 7 x 2 bedroom, totalling 21
to 6 x 1 bedroom, 7 x 2 bedroom and 4 x 3 bedroom, totalling 17

The total potential occupancy has increased from 56 to 60 people.

The position of the block has been adjusted so that the access road now runs between the rear of St. Simon’s Church and the block.

We will publish more details when we have had the opportunity to study the application, but the application addresses all issues arising from past use of the land. The major remaining issue appears to be whether it is acceptable for ABC to use this rare opportunity to build truly affordable housing even though it will result in some loss of open space.

: Location Plan

: Site Plan

The ABC Planning Case reference is 18/01508/AS
http://planning.ashford.gov.uk/Planning/details.aspx?systemkey=110796

We have as with all planning applications we are notified of for South Ashford posted basic details under
https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/category/site/planning-notice/

Ashford Borough Council, Housing, News, Planning and Development

East Stour Park Development Proposal

southashfordcf 20 October 2018 0 Comments

East Stour Park site

Please click on any image in this post to enlarge it then click the back button in your browser to return to this page.

As reported by South Ashford on 19 September, Quinn Estates have submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Request for the site between the Romney Marsh Road, and the East Stour, to the South of Norman Road.

This article adds more information regarding the proposal and looks at the history of the site in relation to development.

The Screening request indicates the intention to construct up to 300 flats in blocks up to 10 stories high.

The proposal has been dubbed East Stour Park by the developer.

Proposal

Parameter Plan

To date only the EIA Screening request has been published, but documents accompanying the request give an indication of the scope of the proposed development.

The documents show that the development is to comprise four blocks each with varying storey heights

The largest and highest block is proposed to be at the south end of the site and will have a maximum of ten stories, facing onto Norman Road, reducing to .seven storeys. The second and third blocks will vary from seven down to five storeys, whilst the northernmost block will be of five and four storeys, nearest to the Riverside Inn. (more…)

Environment, News, Planning and Development

EIA Screening request submitted for Green Corridor site

southashfordcf 19 September 2018 0 Comments

A request has been submitted to Ashford Borough Council for their opinion on whether an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is required for development of land between the East Stour River, Romney Marsh Road and Norman Road. An EIA Screening request is not a planning application but is usually a precursor to a planning application.

The screening request indicates up to 300 apartments in blocks of up to 10 storeys.

The site was considered for inclusion in the Council’s emerging Local Plan for ‘Mixed Use/Tourist/Leisure’. Although the site was not included in the Local Plan as submitted for examination, the Sustainability Appraisal did not exclude development on the site. The appraisal did not consider residential development.

The 2.7 Ha site is categorised as Flood Zone 3a and is part of Ashford’s Green Corridor.

Ashford Borough Council

Local Plan to 2030

Policy ENV2 – The Ashford Green Corridor

The protection and enhancement of Ashford’s Green Corridor is a key objective. Development proposals within the identified Corridor designation (and proposed extensions) will be permitted, providing that it is compatible with, or ancillary to, their principal open space use or other existing uses within them, and it can be demonstrated that the proposal would not harm the overall environment, biodiversity, visual amenity, movement networks or functioning of the Green Corridor.

Other forms of development proposals, including those relating to an existing use within the Green Corridor will not be permitted, unless it would be in accordance with a site specific policy in this Local Plan; or where it relates to a) the redevelopment of a suitable brownfield site or b) delivers overriding benefits, and in either scenario, that it can be demonstrated that there would be no significant harm to the overall environment, biodiversity, visual amenity, movement networks or functioning of the
Green Corridor.

Development proposals on land adjoining the Green Corridor shall provide suitable access and links to the existing networks of the adjoining Green Corridor wherever possible; and make a positive contribution to the Green Corridor in respect of its environment, biodiversity, visual amenity, movement networks or functioning and its
setting.

Development proposals must take into consideration the appraisals, projects and management recommendations set out for the specific areas in the Ashford Green Corridor Action Plan, including the identified proposed extension areas to the designation.

ABC Planning Case Reference 18/00005/EIA/AS
https://planning.ashford.gov.uk/Planning/details.aspx?systemkey=110630

News, Planning and Development, Planning Policy

Local Plan to 2030 – Main Modifications September 2018

southashfordcf 14 September 2018 0 Comments

Ashford Borough Council

Opens: 13 September 2018
Closes: 26 October 2018

Ashford Borough Council is now consulting on Main Modifications to the Ashford Local Plan 2030, following the hearing sessions of the examination and the post hearings advice note received from the Inspectors. The consultation proposes changes to the Ashford Local Plan 2030 Submission Version.

The consultation runs for a period of six weeks from Thursday 13th September 2018 until 5pm on Friday 26th October 2018.

The Main Modifications can be read in full online here Main Modifications to Ashford Local Plan
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/consult.ti/MainMods_LocalPlan/view?objectId=10346612#10346612, or can be downloaded using the following link: Schedule of Main Modifications
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/gf2.ti/-/952098/41055525.1/PDF/-/1_Schedule_of_Main_Modifications_ABC_PS_19.pdf

Changes that are proposed to the policies map are included within the consultation documents above and can also be viewed on the Council’s interactive map at the following link: Online policies map
http://newmaps.ashford.gov.uk/EXTLocalPlan2030/default.aspx

The Local Plan is supported by a number of background documents, including the evidence base, submission and examination documents, that can be found via the following link: https://www.ashford.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/local-plan-to-2030/examination-documents/

The Council is also consulting on an Addendum to the Sustainability Appraisal: Sustainability Appraisal Addendum
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/gf2.ti/-/952098/40900293.1/PDF/-/SA_Addendum_Sep_2018_ABC_PS_21.pdf

The following additional documents have been produced to support the changes proposed in the consultation:

Habitats Regulations Assessment Statement
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/gf2.ti/-/952098/40900389.1/PDF/-/HRA_Position_Statement_September_2018_ABC_PS_22.pdf and
Settlements Matrix
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/gf2.ti/-/952098/40900357.1/PDF/-/Settlements_Matrix_ABC_PS_23.pdf

How to make comments

The Council is inviting you to make comments on the Main Modifications between:

Thursday 13th September 2018 and Friday 26th October.

Comments must be received by the Council by 5pm on Friday 26th October 2018.

The easiest way to make comments is through this consultation portal, where you can add comments directly to each modification through the following link:
Main Modifications to Ashford Local Plan
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/consult.ti/MainMods_LocalPlan/view?objectId=10346612#10346612

Alternatively you can also download and print copies of the document and representation forms from the links at the bottom of this page.

The consultation is focused only on the Main Modifications. The consultation is not an opportunity to repeat or raise further representations about other parts of the Local Plan or to seek wider changes. All previous comments have already been considered by the Inspectors.

In commenting on the ‘Main Modifications’ to the Local Plan the emphasis should be on whether the Local Plan, taking account of the proposed modification, is ‘legally compliant’ and that it is ‘sound’.
The following guidance note explain what these terms mean and will aid making comments on these issues. Guidance Note 2
https://haveyoursay.ashford.gov.uk/gf2.ti/-/952098/40921061.1/PDF/-/Guidance_Note_2_on_Legal_Compliance_and_Soundness.pdf

Ashford Borough Council, Consultation, News, Planning Policy