Ashford Levelling Up Fund

Ashford Borough Council has been successful in bidding for a share of the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund. The council's bid and our allocation of £14.7m from this fund, aims to support the Ashford International Studios / Newtown Works project. This will regenerate a 4.8 hectare brownfield site with five grade II listed buildings in the heart of Ashford.

Following a recent update from Ashford International Development Company (AIDC), which included the findings of an independent report on the viability of a studio and media space on the site, members of the Trade & Enterprise Board agreed the departure from a primarily creative industry led proposal to a predominately residential scheme was the best route to now take to bring the site back into use.

This is now subject to approval by Cabinet and Full Council members.