Two major developments in Ashford are moving at pace – with buildings now close to completion and opening dates expected before the end of the year.
At Drovers Retail Park off Fougeres Way, construction of the flagship Home Bargains store and a Costa Coffee drive-thru has surged ahead, with the majority of exterior work finished just seven months after builders first started clearing the land.
Interior fitting is due to start next month, paving the way for the doors to open later this year as part of phase one of the project.
The Home Bargains outlet – which will include a garden centre and an in-store coffee shop called ‘Cafe at Home Bargains’ – will anchor the new site and launch as early as October, with Costa beside it and five further units also planned.
National chains such as Oak Furniture Land and ScS have been linked to the remaining stores, which will be supported by 358 parking spaces on what is being described as a “homeware hub”.
Home Bargains has yet to provide any details about what, if anything, will happen to its existing store on the town’s Warren Retail Park.
Meanwhile, off the A28 Chart Road, Ashford’s fourth McDonald’s is also nearing completion after a burst of recent activity.
The 24-hour drive-thru – which will seat 136 diners and feature an outdoor play area – is now expected to open by the end of the year, despite earlier delays.
Together, the two schemes will bring hundreds of jobs to the town.
McDonald’s alone says its new branch will create up to 100 roles, while the retail park is set to offer further opportunities once all units are filled.
Cllr Matthew Forest (Con), whose Repton ward sits in the middle of both developments, welcomed the progress.
He told KentOnline: “There is a lot happening in this area – at least a decade ago the [Drovers] site was originally planned for a park and ride scheme.
“Unfortunately, town centres change as we know, but the positive with these retail sites is the employment opportunities they deliver to local people – particularly to people on this side of the town and for those who can’t travel.
“We’re quite fortunate on Repton we have a mix of coffee shops and other beauty shops, so it will be nice to have something which compliments that. The market tends to respond to demand.”
On McDonald’s, he added: “It looked like nothing happened for ages, then suddenly it all goes up overnight.”
But the new restaurant – access via Bridge Road – has also sparked criticism, with some residents labelling the decision to build so close to the ‘Tank’ roundabout as “total madness” given the existing congestion.
Cllr Forest admits the concerns are valid, but believes they can be managed.
He said: “Of course it will have an impact on the Tank roundabout, albeit a negligible one, but more so in the absence of the improvement works which remain ongoing.
“The main concern I have is littering, which often pops up with those sort of establishments, so that’s something we’ll have to keep an eye on.”
The improvement work Cllr Forests refers to is the £30m project to dual Chart Road near the Cobbs Wood industrial estate, between the Matalan and ‘Tank’ roundabouts.
It was revealed in December developer, Hodson, wants to ditch funding for the scheme.
Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.
Although the housebuilder signed a legally binding contract known as a Section 106 agreement – which can be modified within a period of five years – the plans have now thrown the road scheme into doubt.
A decision on the project is expected in the coming months.
When asked whether the restaurant would add to the congestion issue, the fast-food chain said last year: “At McDonald’s, we strive to be a good neighbour in the communities in which we operate.
“We look forward to working together with the local community and stakeholders to address any concerns they may have.”
