Ashford Borough Council’s Planning Committee has backed plans for a Waitrose supermarket to be built on the former Templer Barracks site, meaning more choice for Ashford residents in terms of food and retail shopping and more new jobs for the town.

The supermarket proposed by Waitrose will be three-storeys high and include 23 apartments above the store and a two-storey car park with 221 spaces.

The new store will form part of a new High Street which will be at the heart of the development area. The store is considered to be a key element to the community facilities for Ashford’s largest brownfield site, which is close to J9 of the M20.

When the whole planned development is completed, Repton Park which covers 50 hectares, will include 1,250 new homes and new community facilities such as shops, a school, doctor’s surgery and a community centre.

Cllr John Kemp, portfolio holder for planning and development, said: “We welcome Waitrose to Ashford. The store will provide more food shopping choice for the people of Ashford, especially those in Repton Park, and highlights Ashford’s ability to attract high quality retailers to the town.”

Media Release 0210/08

07/08/2008