A bid to further extend a growing business park has been given the green light, with work set to begin later this year.
In January, DHA Planning, on behalf of GSE Commercial Estates, submitted a reserved matters application to Ashford Borough Council (ABC) for an undeveloped parcel of land next to Waterbrook Park in Sevington.
The approval will now enable the construction of one building, split between a 6,000 sq ft unit and a smaller 2,000 sq ft unit.
Reacting to the decision, a spokesperson for GSE said: “It’s great to secure this latest planning consent from ABC, which will play an important role in supporting local business growth in the area.
“We are grateful to the wider planning team for their work on the application, which forms part of the wider masterplan at Waterbrook Park, and are looking forward to getting on site later this year.”
Previously, bosses stated the application came in response to the “strong demand for commercial space at Waterbrook Park,” with the site gaining outline approval for development in 2019.
They added the plot opposite the Ashford International Truckstop would “support the growth of the surrounding area” by providing an opportunity for “local businesses to thrive”.
The scheme includes 21 parking spaces, with the primary access point to the site via Arrowhead Road just off the A2070 and its controversial Bellamy Gurner junction.
Interior and exterior LED lighting and other renewable measures such as solar and photovoltaic panels are also planned for the project, which will sit directly next to the yet-to-be-built David Lloyd health club approved by the authority in August.
Previously, Kent County Council’s highways department had raised concerns about a lack of space for articulated vehicles and maneuvering room for vehicles using the proposed car parking spaces.
They said these “may be possible to overcome” if changes were made to the aisle width of the parking plot – a comment which led GSE to submit an amended plan for the site.
Waterbrook Park has been allocated for development since 2000 and is featured in ABC’s most recent Local Plan up to 2030 for a mix of residential and commercial uses.
With the approval of the latest development, the building is expected to be joined at Waterbrook by the arrival of almost 400 new homes, a project which GSE is also behind alongside Mulberry Homes.
A total of 144 have already been given the nod for construction, albeit not without controversy after the developers were accused of trying to commit “environmental vandalism” by felling trees to make space for a wetland on the estate.
Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.
Meanwhile, other plans on Waterbrook include an Aldi supermarket – approved in October – plus a new Taco Bell drive-thru and Ashford’s third KFC.
This is alongside a petrol station and more than 50,000 sq ft of car showroom space.
A further 22 acres of commercial use, which has yet to be fully approved, has also been earmarked for the site.
