Newtown Railway Works

Ashford Borough Council’s Planning Committee was due to consider the planning application for a multi-use development on the former Newtown Railway Works on the 25^th March 2020- but it became a victim of the Government’s rules on social distancing during the Covid 19 pandemic. SWAN Community Council is only a consultee in planning matters but will be making representations on behalf of the community when the Borough Council’s public meetings programme is resumed.

Sue Mullan, Chair of SWAN Community Council says:

“In general, the Council sees the benefits this development could bring to our area, including new jobs and, more practically, safety improvements at the dangerously narrow Crowbridge Road bridge. However, my Council still has serious reservations about several aspects of the development including the height of the proposed hotel, the impact on existing roads of insufficient parking within the site boundary and the lack of affordable housing amongst other things, such that we will continue to oppose it”

The development includes the creation of film studios, an 18-storey hotel, multi storey car park, over 300 apartments, a café and office space. The developer has also proposed a space within the site for community use although it is unclear at this stage when the community would have access to it and whether there would be a cost to use it.