Development update Latest planning & development news Issue 31 // October 2O17

Welcome 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 October 2016. Update on Local Plan documents

Local Plan to 2O3O There were a number of ‘Main Changes’ proposed which were completely new topic The Local Plan has been prepared with the or site policies. It was considered appropriate aim of ensuring that future development to address these issues before the Local Plan within Ashford is well planned and managed 2030 is submitted to the Secretary of State effectively whilst having a positive impact to be examined by an Independent Planning on local communities, the economy and the Inspector. environment. The council received around 1180 The new Local Plan will provide a consistent representations during the ‘Main Changes’ approach to planning into the future across consultation and is currently assessing the whole of the borough. Once adopted, the content of these comments and intend the Local Plan 2030 will form the statutory to liaise with objectors where necessary. development plan. A decision will then be taken by Asford The first draft of the plan was formally Borough Council on whether any further published and made available for consultation changes are required to the draft plan. during the summer of 2016, and following this a series of proposed ‘Main Changes’ over Next stages: Submission and the summer of 2017 (7th July to 31st August). Examination These changes were intended to: The next stage in the process for ABC is to • Resolve issues that were raised during create a combined final draft of the Local public consultation in 2016 Plan and formally submit this to the Secretary of State and Planning Inspectorate, which will • Meet the increased housing need commence the Examination in Public (EIP) requirements identified through an update process. This ‘submission stage’, is expected of national population projections in December 2017, but is dependent • Ensure that the plan is up to date and upon the outcome of the assessment of meets the requirements of current national representations. planning policy and guidance

2 At an Examination in Public, an inspector will assess the final Local Plan 2030, the evidence supporting it and comments received during both the consultations, to judge whether it is ‘sound‘ in relation to the National Planning Policy Framework and whether it meets the legal requirements set out in legislation. If you made comments during either of the public consultations you will be kept informed of the progress of the Local Plan and the examination stages. More information on the Local Plan 2030 can be found here: www.ashford.gov.uk/local-plan-2030.

Pluckley Neighbourhood Plan adopted In April 2017, the Neighbourhood Plan was formally ‘made’ by the council, meaning that it was adopted and became part of Ashford Borough Council’s Development Plan. This plan covers the period 2016 to 2031 and provides a vision for the future of the community which includes locally developed policies. The Pluckley Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed at: http://www.ashford.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/neighbourhood- plans/pluckley-neighbourhood-plan/

Bethersden Neighbourhood Plan update Parish Council has submitted its Neighbourhood Plan to Ashford Borough Council, supported by its Consultation Statement, Basic Conditions Statement, and Sustainability Appraisal. The Borough Council will shortly publicise this document through six weeks of public consultation as per Regulation 16 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012. Immediately following this period, the Borough Council will submit the Bethersden Neighbourhood Plan, associated documents, and all consultation responses to an independent Examiner who will assess whether the Neighbourhood Plan is sound. Following examination and the release of the Examiner’s Report, in the event of a successful outcome a referendum will be held locally to decide whether or not to adopt the Neighbourhood Plan as a development plan document for the area.

3 Large planning applications We have provided below a list of some of the major planning applications that have been received/decided since the last Development Update in October, 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

The former Powergen site, Victoria Road 15/01671/AS Approved at the end of last year this is 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 (Use Class A1/A3) and associated parking, public surface car park, plant and storage; together with landscaping and access works. (2) 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. • Plots 3, 4 and 5 have since been cleared. A Reserved Matters application has been received for part of Plot 4 (for the erection of 8 houses) and also Plot 3 (for the erection of 66 apartments).

Victoria Road

4 The new Ashford College on Elwick Road (11/0 0757/AS) Now open with its first intake of students beginning their studies in September. Involved in the works was the; demolition of existing buildings and structures; construction of new college buildings (Class D1); provision of new access road; on-site parking and servicing; associated hard and soft landscaping and boundary treatment works; reduction in height of existing retaining wall on Station Road; alterations to site levels and other associated minor works. New Ashford College The Chapel Down brewery 16/01157/AS and ALDI site 16/01167/AS, Victoria Road Work on the brewery is likely to begin later this autumn and an application for minor changes to the approved building is likely to be received by the Council around the same time. Work on the project by ALDI was suspended to wait for the installation of the necessary sub-station on the street frontage.

Trafalgar House, Bank Street, 17/01357/AS The council recently received an application for a 6 storey development comprising ground floor retail / restaurant premises use class A1/A2/A3/A4/A5 with 14 no 1-bedroom Commercial Quarter, Dover Place flats above with roof terraces.

Commercial Quarter, Dover Place, Ashford 16/00554/AS The site is currently under construction and will comprise of 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 (Uses B1, A1, A2 and A3) with a rooftop plant enclosure plus a free- standing sub-station, cycle store and refuse store. There will also be 220 dedicated car parking spaces in total with 39 spaces immediately around the building and the remaining 181 parking spaces forming part of an extension to the Stour Centre car park. Panorama (formerly Charter House)

The Panorama (formerly Charter House) 08/00396/AS Works are now underway for the construction of two new buildings providing 110 flats within the grounds of the existing building.

5 Ashford urban area sites

Eureka Leisure Park, Rutherford Road, Ashford 16/00887/AS This application for the extension of the cinema and the construction of two new restaurants has now been approved. Currently no works have started.

Former Rimmel Site, Cobbs Wood Ind Estate 16/00562/AS The concrete and aggregate depot has now been completed. An application for approval of Reserved Matters 17/00675/AS for the fine detail of the industrial buildings on the other parts of the site have been received and will be determined in the near future.

The old South College site, Jemmett Road 17/00354/AS Reserved Matters application has been approved for the development of 160 dwellings together with access roads, footpaths, drainage, associated car/bicycle parking provision, groundworks, landscaping, open space and infrastructure (pursuant to outline approval 11/ 00405/AS ).

Land between Hinxhill Road and Hythe Road, 16/01722/AS Approved in principle subject to Section 106 agreement, this application is for the development of 192 dwellings together with associated open space, play equipment, landscaping, drainage, infrastructure and earthworks. Alongside this is an application at Highmead House 15/01550/AS – also approved in principle pending Section 106 agreement, for the development of 28 residential units with vehicular access from the A20, with Highmead House to be retained. These 2 applications form the Policy U10 allocation in the Urban Sites DPD.

Chilmington Green Outline Application 12/00400/AS Approved at the beginning of the year (2017), the decision notice for the application was issued on the 6th of January 2017. Most pre-commencement conditions have been discharged. Works on Access A and D (detailed development which are not controlled by pre-commencement conditions) are close to completion. The council received and approved two full applications for road infrastructure.

6 Cheesemans Green (Finberry) 16/00124/AS - Bilham Lawn Parcel B9 This Reserved Matters application has now been approved for the construction of 86 new dwellings.

16/00125/AS - Land south of Captains Wood Negotiations are continuing on this Reserved Matters applications for the construction of 326 dwellings. It is hoped that a decision will be made in autumn 2017.

15/01435/AS - Cheeseman’s Green Lane Reserved Matters approval has been granted for Bilham Lawn Parcel B9 the foodstore, three small retail units and public house/restaurant forming the western side of the entrance to Finberry village centre.

15/01586/AS Cheeseman’s Green Lane Reserved Matters approval has been granted for the village centre gateway comprising 67 new dwellings, x9 live-work units, a 3-storey office building and associated works. The Finberry development is progressing well with the first residential phase (Stour Meadows) having been completed and homes being constructed on the Captain’s Wood phase (14/01075/AS), the Green Oaks phase (10/01277/ AS) with the Village Gateway phase 15/01663/AS having recently commenced. Finberry Primary School opened in September ready for the start of the 2017/18 academic year. Land South of Captain’s Wood

Cheeseman’s Green Lane

7 Repton Park (former rowcroft and templer barracks)

15/01345/AS - Repton Connect Community Centre Approved in February 2016, much of the work at Repton Connect Community Centre has been completed apart from the Multi-use games area and landscaping. The Centre is anticipated for completion in the winter of 2017/18, and will also include a large hall Land Parcel 15, Sir Bernard Paget Ave and a pair of meeting rooms available for community use. There are a number of Repton applications that are currently under consideration. These include:

15/01518/AS - Land Parcel 15 on Sir Bernard Paget Ave Reserved Matters approval has been granted and construction of the 24 dwellings together with associated access roads, footpaths, drainage, car/cycle parking, groundworks and Land Parcels 34, 35, 36 and 37 infrastructure is well underway.

16/01301/AS - Land Parcels 19 to 23 Construction of the 105 dwellings in parcels 19-23 together with associated access roads, footpaths, drainage, car/cycle parking, groundworks and infrastructure is also well underway.

16/00808/AS - Land Parcels 34, 35, 36 and 37 This Reserved Matters application for parcels 34-37 (90 dwellings) is still under Repton Connect consideration.

8 17/00396/AS – Land Parcels 8 & 10 Reserved Matters application for 62 residential apartments including affordable housing, together with flexible employment floorspace (B1/ A1/ A2/ A3/ A4 or A5 Use Classes), 7 mixed use units comprising flexible ground floor employment floorspace (A1/A2/A3/A4/ A5/B1 or D1 Uses Classes), associated landscaping, infrastructure and earthworks.

17/00578/AS – Land Parcel 9 Reserved Matters application for 31 residential apartments together with flexible employment floorspace (B1/ A1/ A2/ A3/ A4 or A5 Use Classes), Land Parcel 9 associated landscaping, infrastructure and earthworks pursuant to outline planning permission 02/01565/AS

17/00597/AS Land Parcel 13a Reserved Matters application for 40 affordable extra care apartments and communal facilities, together with associated landscaping, infrastructure and earthworks.

Junction 10A – Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) Highways are proposing a new motorway junction (Junction 10a) and new access road from the A2070 which was submitted to the Secretary of State (SoS) on 01 September 2017. Land Parcel 13a 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 includes the consultation documentation for public view. A decision on the project is expected from the SoS on 1st December 2017. More information can be found here: http://roads.highways.gov.uk/projects/m20-junction-10a/

9 Rural area sites

Land between Aldington Fresh Foods and Brockenhurst, Roman Road 16/01412/AS Approved in March this is a residential development that will provide 10 houses together with associated access driveway, parking spaces and landscaping. Roman Road – Land rear of Rose Cottage Farm, North Street 17/0 0258/AS This application for 45 dwellings was approved at Planning Committee in September 2017. It is a Hybrid Application comprising a full application for the erection of 45 dwellings, of which 35% are affordable, and an outline application for the erection of a B1 office building with design, scale and Longfield, massing as reserved matters.

Land between The Hollies and Park Farm Close, Woodchurch Road, 16/01841/AS Application approved for the erection of 12 dwellings, the creation of a new access from Woodchurch Road, new landscaping and ancillary works (revision to reference 15/00539/AS)

Shadoxhurst – Land rear of the Kings Head PH 15/01496/AS This application for 19 dwellings was approved at Planning Committee in September 2017. Full permission has been granted for residential development comprising 15 two storey dwellings and 4 one bedroom flats with associated infrastructure and services.

Land North West of Smallhythe House, Longfield, Tenterden 16/00795/AS Recently approved and is for the erection of 36 retirement living apartments with associated communal facilities, access, parking and landscaping.

10 Land at North East side of Pickhill, Smallhythe Road, Tenterden 16/01411/AS Expansion of Pickhill Business Centre, comprising the erection of commercial floorspace (Use Class B1), a children’s day nursery (Use Class D1), access, parking, landscaping and drainage.

WYE - Wye School, Kempe Centre, Olantigh Road – Applications (16/01226/AS Olantigh Road and 16/01548/AS) Both applications have now been approved by Planning Committee. Phase 1 (16/01226/AS) is underway, whilst Phases 2 & 3 (16/01548/AS) are currently delayed by the signing of a legal agreement. Details of the works proposed are listed below: • 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 and 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.

Rural appeals

Brabourne – Land between Canterbury Road and Lees Road (16/00303/AS) An appeal was received on the Outline Planning Application for up to 125 residential dwellings. The Public Inquiry date has been postponed from a June date until January 2018.

Charing – Land south of railway line Land between Canterbury Road and west of Pluckley Road, and Lees Road 17/00303 – An appeal was received on the Outline Planning Application for up to 245 dwellings. A Public Inquiry date has not yet been set.

11 Glossary

Outline 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/

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