Ashford in Numbers
Key facts about Ashford:
- The fastest growing town between London and the Continent
- The population of Ashford is currently around 112,000
- Since April 2001 - 4,878 houses have been built
- Between 2001 and 2006 3,000 jobs have been created
- 37 minutes to London via the HighSpeed1 rail link
- Paris in 2 hours and Lille in under 1 hour from Ashford
International with Eurostar
- Exciting shopping opportunities in the extended County
Square shopping centre (opened Spring 2008) and the Designer
Outlet
- Some of the best leisure facilities in the South East including
a multi-million redeveloped leisure centre and international
standard athletics stadium
- Excellent and expanding education facilities including
a multi-million Ashford Learning Campus for further
education expected to open in 2011
- Ashford is home to over 50 schools and there are plans for an
addtional 15 primary schools and 3 secondary schools
- There are 74 registered GPs and 15 dental practices within the
borough
- 2 million sq ft of commercial office development
- Over 140 hectares of commercial development
- Office rents 68% lower than in London and around 40% lower than
in the South East
- House prices 30% cheaper than in London and 8% cheaper than the
South East average
- Fantastic countryside, including part of the Kent Downs
area of outstanding natural beauty and extensive areas of
woodland
- Easy access to beautiful countryside, charming villages and the
south coast
- And - 85% of Ashford residents value the quality of life in
Ashford*
*MORI survey 2006
Ashford's Growth
Ashford is getting a new lease of life with the town set to
double in size over the next 25 years. Thousands of new homes and
jobs, huge Government investment, improved education facilities,
new shops, restaurants, offices and community facilities are all
planned for new and existing residents.
In March 2001 the Government identified Ashford as one of four
key growth areas in the South East, alongside the Thames Gateway,
Milton Keynes and Stansted/M11 corridor.
Since then a lot of work has been going on ‘behind the scenes’
to lay the foundations for long-term sustainable growth. Government
and private sector funding has been secured, detailed planning and
feasibility studies have been performed to ensure the correct
infrastructure is in place, and many projects have launched and
completed with great success.
This work has been fundamental to ensure Ashford is now in a
position to start delivering the growth.
This webpage was updated on
1/3/2012