Major step forward for Ashford regeneration as Civic Centre and Tanyard projects reach key milestone

Ashford Borough Council has reached an important milestone in its ambitious town centre regeneration programme, with planning applications for the Civic Centre and Tanyard developments now submitted.

If approved, these council-led schemes would deliver more than 200 council-owned homes for local people as part of the wider regeneration of the Commercial Quarter. Subject to planning permission being granted, the developments would also create high-quality public spaces, improve pedestrian connections and secure investment in Ashford's heritage assets.

The planning applications will now proceed through the usual planning process, including public consultation and consideration by the Planning Committee before any decisions are made.

At the heart of the proposals is a commitment to helping meet local housing need while creating a vibrant and sustainable neighbourhood in a highly accessible town centre location.

Transforming the Civic Centre into a new residential community

If approved, the proposals would see the former Civic Centre sensitively converted into 58 new homes, alongside enhanced public spaces and community uses. The building's central location - close to Ashford International station, the town centre and Civic Park - offers a unique opportunity to create a well-connected residential community.

The proposals include:

• New landscaping and public realm linking into Civic Park and the wider green corridor.
• Improved pedestrian connections between the train station, town centre and surrounding neighbourhoods.
• Active ground-floor uses designed to bring life back into previously underused areas, including office space and a kiosk facility for park users and residents.
• Reviving the Tanyard and opening up access across Ashford.

Alongside the Civic Centre proposals, the Tanyard planning application seeks permission for 160 new homes and the reintroduction of vital pedestrian connections through a previously inaccessible site.

If planning permission is granted, the proposals would:

• Restore key pedestrian routes between the station, park and town centre, reconnecting the area to Ashford's wider walking network.
• Create a new pedestrian footbridge across the Great Stour, alongside enhanced walking routes that improve access through and across the site.
• Incorporate new public squares, landscaped spaces and pedestrian streets.

The proposals aim to transform the site from a closed, underused space into an active and integrated part of the town.

Bringing heritage back into everyday use

A key feature of the wider regeneration proposals is the Grade II listed Whist House*, which, subject to planning permission being granted, would be restored and brought back into public use as a housing office for local residents.

This would provide an opportunity for the community to access and engage with one of Ashford's historic assets while securing the long-term future of an important heritage building.

Extensive consultation

The proposals have been developed following extensive consultation with residents, stakeholders and statutory bodies. This includes close engagement with Historic England and the Environment Agency due to the significance of the listed building and the riverside setting of the Tanyard site.

The planning applications will now be subject to public consultation before being considered by the Planning Committee in due course.

Leader of Ashford Borough Council, Cllr Noel Ovenden, said:

"It is very positive to see these planning applications submitted following extensive design and consultation work.

Delivering council-owned homes remains a key priority for the council and, if approved, these proposals would help accelerate the delivery of much-needed homes for local people while creating attractive public spaces, improving pedestrian links through the town centre and bringing important heritage assets back into use.

We now look forward to the applications progressing through the planning process, including public consultation and consideration by the Planning Committee."

A spokesperson for On Architecture added:

"This has been a highly collaborative and successful project, shaped through close working with the Council and the local community. By building on the unique character of the sites and their surroundings, the proposals would deliver high-quality homes and a strong sense of place, helping to transform this part of Ashford into a thriving and well-connected neighbourhood."

Managing Director for DHA Planning, Alex Hicken, said:

"The design team has worked extremely hard to involve key consultees, stakeholders and the local community throughout the design process while reflecting the Council's aspirations for the sites.

These are exciting proposals for Ashford which would bring two key previously developed sites back into use, deliver a significant number of high-quality council-owned homes for local people and create new public spaces and connections that would benefit the wider town centre."

Looking ahead

The submission of these planning applications represents an important milestone for both projects. The applications will now proceed through public consultation and consideration by the Planning Committee before any decisions are made on whether planning permission should be granted.

If approved, the Civic Centre and Tanyard developments would represent a major investment in Ashford's future, delivering more than 200 council-owned homes for local people, improved public spaces, better pedestrian connections and the restoration of important heritage assets.