A new master plan for Waterbrook has been unveiled and a planning application to bring forward new commercial and residential development, near Junction 10 of the M20 in Ashford, has been submitted.
The planning application, submitted by GSE Group who own the land, will now be considered by Ashford Borough Council.
At the heart of the Waterbrook proposals is the recognition that there is a need to create new places for people to work, as well as new homes, in order to sustain Ashford’s economy.
The application also includes plans to develop new commercial space on 45 acres of the 140 acre site, alongside the existing Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency offices and planned Jaguar Land Rover dealership. When fully developed the commercial premises would provide employment for approximately 750 people.
Waterbrook is currently home to the award-winning Ashford International Truckstop, and the proposal is to increase it in size to securely park 600 lorries an evening, helping to reduce the impact of unlawful overnight parking on the local community.
To help Ashford meet the needs of its growing population, the Waterbrook proposals also include plans to develop 400 new homes, separated from the commercial property by a 13 acre linear park incorporating a small natural lake. A further 25 acres of Waterbrook will be left undeveloped and schemes put in place to enhance the local ecology.
Darrell Healey, Managing Director of GSE Group, said: “These proposals will help Ashford, and Kent, secure the jobs, secure parking for HGVs and houses that it needs.
“Across Kent there is a growing shortage of high quality commercial property. Waterbrook will deliver for Ashford by supporting the growth of existing local businesses and helping attract new ones.
“Ashford’s connectivity, thanks to high-speed rail and Eurostar, and the new junction 10a on the M20, will mean that Ashford is set for further economic growth and the outlook for the borough is positive.”
GSE Group has been working with local development experts including Clague Architects, DHA Planning, alongside Cannon Consulting Engineers, Corylus Ecology, PJC Consultancy and Grant Acoustics to finalise the plans for Waterbrook.
GSE Group has also appointed property agents Sibley Pares and Knight Frank to promote Waterbrook.
