Chilmington Green Discussed

Ashford Borough Council ran two public open evenings on Thursday 5 February to share with local residents the outcomes of a two day stakeholder workshop looking at the future development of the Chilmington Green area.

Well over 100 local people attended the events held at Shadoxhurst Village Hall and Great Chart Primary School, Singleton to see how the Chilmington Green and Discovery Park area of Ashford will be developed to create around 3,350 homes and 600 new jobs by 2021.

Residents were able to view and comment on a number of initial plans and drawings that will shape outline detailed proposals for the development of the area.

The plans and drawings were the outcomes of a workshop held with parish council and community representatives, council members, planning officers and developers. National experts on ‘place-making’ were brought in to help and advise on the best ways forward.

Richard Alderton, Head of Planning and Development at Ashford Borough Council, said: “The workshops brought together a wide range of people with some impressive skills and experience in making better places.

"We are still at the early stages of planning this extension to Ashford but some exciting ideas are emerging and from the outset high standards are being set.

“It is great that we have been able to share these ideas immediately with local people to gauge their reaction. We will keep up this dialogue through the community forum we have set up and similar public events like this one.

“We will need to continue to work very closely together with local people, landowners and developers to create a sustainable development with high quality design standards and a true sense of place.”

Media Release 0036/09
09/02/2009