Development updateLatest planning & development newsIssue 30 // October 2O16Welcome to this latest edition of the Ashford Development Update.

This newsletter will provide you with the latest position on the Local Plan documents and how they are progressing. It also includes details of major planning applications that have been received and/or permitted since the last update, which was published in April 2016.

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Update on Local Plan documents

Local Plan to 2O3OAshford Borough Council recently published a draft of its new Local Plan for the borough, which sets out the land that needs to be provided in order to accommodate new homes and jobs up to 2030. The eight week public consultation ended on 10th August 2015.

The draft local plan also sets out the vision, policies and proposals to guide future development and the use of land within the whole of the Ashford borough, in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.

Following the close of the consultation period, the borough council is now considering all the comments (representations) received. Following this full analysis of the representations, a decision will be made whether changes are required to the draft plan or its supporting evidence base. If major changes to the Local Plan are proposed, the council will re-consult with residents and stakeholders on these proposed changes for a further six week period. This is likely to be in Spring 2017.

A revised Local Development Scheme will be produced with an updated timetable for the Local Plan adoption.

More information on the local plan 2030 can be found here: www.ashford.gov.uk/local-plan-2030

Community Infrastructure LevyIn parallel with the new Local Plan, a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

Preliminary Draft Charging Schedule was consulted upon. Following the close of the consultation period, ABC is considering the representations received. A further consultation on the draft Charging Schedule will take place before it is submitted for examination. The consultation is likely to take place in Spring 2017.

The CIL aims to provide a more consistent approach to determining the financial contributions from developers of new developments that go towards local infrastructure provision. The existing process of securing contributions through legal agreements (known as section 106 agreement) will be scaled back but will remain for ‘site specific’ infrastructure provision and affordable housing.

For more information visit www.ashford.gov.uk/cil

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Large planning applicationsWe have provided below a list of some of the major planning applications that have been received/decided since the last Development Update in April, along with a brief summary of the proposal.

If you wish to view more details on any of these applications, please go to the ‘View Applications Online’ (http://planning.ashford.gov.uk/) page of our website and enter the relevant application number.

Town centre sites(16/00878/AS) - Elwick House, Elwick RoadPrior approval granted in July for the conversion from office use to residential for creation of 15 flats. Work has started.

(16/00981/AS) & (16/00986/AS) – Former Travis Perkins Trading Co Limited, Victoria CrescentFull planning application received in July 2016 for 31 residential apartments with car parking, associated access and landscaping and for the demolition of existing buildings and building of 28 flats with car parking, access and landscaping. The applications are currently being considered.

16/01157/AS, 16/01164/AS & 16/01167/AS - Former Pledges Mill and South Kent College Site and land south of junction of Beaver Road and Victoria RoadPermission granted in October for:

• Development of a brewery, with shop, bars 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.

• Superstore (Use Class A1) with associated parking, substation, landscaping and access work.

The application for a 120 bedroom hotel and associated parking, landscaping, substation and access works is pending decision.

Victoria Crescent

Victoria Road

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Town centre sites(14/01402/AS) - Ashford Designer Outlet, Kimberley WayPermission granted in September for the demolition of part of the existing Design Outlet Centre and the construction of buildings and structures to provide an extension to the retail designer outlet, comprising retail and restaurants units, tourist information/visitor unit, and office/centre management accommodation, re-configuration of existing car park, new car parking spaces, cycle parking, plant, hard and soft, public realms improvements, landscape and highway works.

(15/016171/AS) – Former Powergen site, Victoria RoadMembers at Planning Committee in June 2016 resolved to grant permission subject to the signing of a S106 agreement for a hybrid application for five plots comprising:

1. Full and detailed application for plots 1 and 2 comprising: erection of 400 dwellings, a retail kiosk/cafe unit and associated parking, public surface car park, together with landscaping and access works.

2. Outline application with appearance and landscaping reserved for demolition of existing buildings/structures and erection of up to 260 dwellings, associated parking, together with landscaping and access works.

(16/00554/AS) - Dover Place Car Park, Dover PlacePlanning permission granted in July 2016 subject to the signing of a S106 for the erection of a 6 storey building providing five floors of flexible office accommodation above a ground floor restaurant and cafe, and/or retail accommodation with a rooftop plant enclosure plus a free-standing sub-station, cycle store and refuse store. Creation of 220 dedicated car parking spaces in total with

39 spaces immediately around the building and the remaining 181 parking spaces as part of an extension to the Stour Centre car park.

More information relating to the strategic projects ongoing in the Town Centre, such as the College and Commercial Quarter can be found on this page: www.ashford.gov.uk/strategic-projects

Ashford Designer Outlet

Dover Place

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Ashford urban area sites(16/01136/AS) – Land adjacent to the William Harvey Hospital, Kennington Road, Willesborough, KentApplication received in July for a care home together with associated access, car parking and landscaping.

(16/00887/AS) - Eureka Leisure Park, Rutherford Road, AshfordFull planning permission granted (subject to signing of a S106) for the construction of an extension to the existing cinema, construction of two new restaurants and associated works.

(16/00562/AS) – Site of former Rimmel International Ltd, Cobbswood Industrial Estate, Carlton Road, AshfordPlanning permission granted in July for hybrid application comprising:

1. Outline planning permission for 12 industrial units on 1.3ha with all matters except access reserved.

2. Full planning permission for a grounds maintenance depot and a ready mix concrete and satellite aggregate depot, internal spine road and improved access points off Carlton Road and Brunswick Road.

The grounds maintenance depot is now complete and works have started on the concrete and aggregate depot.

(15/01550/AS) - Highmead House, Hythe Road, Willesborough, Ashford, Kent, TN24 0NEOutline planning application received for the retention of Highmead House and the construction of 28 residential units with vehicular access from the A20.

Willesborough

Eureka Leisure Park

Carlton Road

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Repton Park (former rowcroft and templer barracks)(15/01518/AS) - Land Parcel 15, Sir Bernard Paget AvenueReserved matters approved for the development of Parcel 15 for 24 dwellings together with associated access roads, footpaths, drainage, car/cycle parking, groundwork’s and infrastructure.

Works are due to start imminently.

(16/01301/AS) - Land Parcels 19 to 23Reserved matters application approved for the development of Parcels 19-23 for 105 dwellings together with access roads, footpaths, drainage, associated car/cycle parking, provision of associated groundworks and infrastructure.

Works due to start soon once the outstanding application for landscaping is determined which is currently being negotiated (16/00549/AS).

(16/00808/AS) - Land Parcels 34, 35, 36 and 37Reserved matters application received in June for the development of Parcels 34 – 37 for 90 dwellings together with associated access roads, footpaths, drainage, car/cycle parking, groundworks and infrastructure. This application is currently being considered.

(15/00315/AS) - Land Parcels 31, 32 and 33Reserved Matters application approved 18/08/16 for the development of Parcels 31 – 33 for 104 dwellings together with access roads, footpaths, drainage, associated car/bicycle parking provision, groundworks, landscaping and infrastructure. Works have started on site.

Land Parcel 15

Land Parcels 34, 35, 36 and 37

Land Parcels 31, 32 and 33

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Cheeseman’s Green (Finberry)

Negotiations are ongoing on the following applications:

(16/00124/AS) - Bilham Lawn Parcel B9 Reserved matters application received 28/01/16 for the construction of 86 new dwellings with associated access, parking, landscaped areas, internal roads for the development, details of part of distributor road C and surface water drainage measures.

(16/00125/AS) - Land south of Captain’s Wood Reserved matters application received in January 2016 for the construction of 326 new dwellings with associated access, parking, landscaped areas including a neighbourhood play area, internal roads for the development, details of distributor roads, Waterbrook link road, a district play area north of Captain’s Wood and surface water drainage measures.

(15/01435/AS) - Cheeseman’s Green Lane Reserved matters received 17/11/15 for the development of a foodstore, three retail units and a public house / restaurant, with associated parking, landscaping and ancillary works.

(15/01663/AS) - Cheeseman’s Green Lane Reserved matters received 21/12/16 for the construction of an 80 unit extra care facility with associated parking, landscaped areas, surface water drainage measures and associated works.

(15/01586/AS) Cheeseman’s Green Lane Reserved matters received 03/12/15 for the construction of 67 new dwellings including nine live-work units, office floorspace, with associated parking, landscaped areas, internal roads for the development, details of distributor roads, and surface water drainage measures (Village centre gateway parcel).

The following are progressing on site or due to start shortly:

• Green Street phase (now known as Green Oaks) (10/01277/AS)

• The Grove (14/01075/AS)

• Finberry School (15/00648/AS)

Bilham Lawn

Captain’s Wood

Cheeseman’s Green Lane

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Chilmington Green(12/00400/AS) The planning application was resolved to be granted in 2014, subject to conditions and a S106 planning agreement. The planning agreement will be an extensive and complex document which is necessary to achieve all the physical and social infrastructure related to this major development. It is anticipated that it will be agreed and signed late 2016.

Further information on Chilmington Green is available at:

www.ashford.gov.uk/chilmington-green-introduction

Junction 10A – Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP)(15/00001/NSIP/AS) Ashford Borough Council is only a consultee on these projects. It is not responsible for the formal consultation on, or determination of, an NSIP project. However, for transparency, the council has produced its own project reference 15/00001/NSIP/AS which will include the consultation documentation it has received and any formal comments made by the council.

More information can be found here: http://roads.highways.gov.uk/projects/m20-junction-10a/

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Rural area sitesTenterden - Breton Court, Grange Road – Application Received (16/00751/AS)Erection of new 26 bedroom care home and associated works.

Tenterden - Land North West of Smallhythe House, Longfield – Application Received (16/00795/AS)Erection of 36 retirement living apartments with associated communal facilities, access, parking and landscaping.

WYE - Wye School, Kempe Centre, Olantigh Road – Application Received (16/01226/AS) & (16/01548/AS)Phase 1 of the proposed Wye School expansion includes demolition of existing outbuildings and removal of trees; resurfacing of the existing vehicular access road off Occupation Road; creation of a new coach and parking area; creation of a new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) and soft-play (grassed) area; creation of a new entrance square plus site levelling, new lighting fixtures, repairs to existing and fences and associated works.

Phases 2 and 3 include refurbishment of the Kempe Centre to include new sixth form accommodation, erection of a new building comprising the main hall, 4-court sports hall and new teaching accommodation; associated car parking and cycle provision and landscaping.

Smarden - Land between Smarden Charter Hall and Weathercock, Pluckley Road. Appeal and new application received.

An outline application for up to 50 residential units with all matters reserved except for access was refused. This decision has been appealed and is due to be dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate through a hearing in 2017 (16/00045/AS).

A new outline planning application has also been received on the same site for up to 25 residential dwellings and informal village green area with all matters to be reserved with the exception of the main site access (16/01515/AS)

Brabourne – Land between Canterbury Road and Lees RoadAppeal received on the Outline Planning Application for up to 125 residential dwellings. Public Inquiry is set for 27th June 2017 (16/00303/AS).

Breton Court

Longfield

Ashford Borough Council Planning and Building Control Civic Centre Tannery Lane Ashford Kent TN23 1PL

GLOSSARYOutline application: A general application for planning permission to establish that a development is acceptable in principle, subject to subsequent approval of detailed (reserved) matters.

Reserved Matters: Where outline permission has been granted, you may, within three years of the outline approval, make an application for the outstanding reserved matters, i.e. the information excluded from the initial outline planning application. This will typically include information about the layout, access, scale and appearance of the development.

Prior Notification: Some proposals for developments involving telecommunications, demolition, agriculture or forestry are subject to a process whereby details are notified to the local planning authority prior to the development taking place.

Section 106 Agreement (s106): Legal agreements between a planning authority and a developer, or undertakings offered unilaterally by a developer, that ensure that certain extra works related to a development are undertaken.

Appeal: The process whereby a planning applicant can challenge an adverse decision, including a refusal of permission or failure of the planning authority to issue a decision within a given time. Appeals are processed by the Planning Inspectorate.

Further information about the planning system and terminology can be found here: https://www.planningportal.co.uk/