Bold plans to transform a former business site have been sent back to the drawing board amid concerns about the scheme's look and parking.

London developers U+I are hoping to convert the former premises of Kent Wool Growers, the farming retailer which closed after 100 years of trading in 2017.

The company wants to turn the site on Tannery Lane in Ashford into four apartment blocks ranging from six to 14 storeys high, providing 254 flats.

The plan was recommended for approval ahead of the latest Ashford Borough Council planning committee meeting, but members deferred the application, likening the scheme's appearance to high-rise buildings in London.

Cllr Winston Michael (Ind) says the plan - which will see the former KWG buildings except Whist House knocked down - is "not appropriate" for the town.

“We have a riverside site and a great opportunity to do something,” he said.

“When I first looked at the proposed views, I thought ‘good lord, in the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king’.

“It’s a monstrosity and it seems reminiscent of something from London. We can do better.”

Currently, bosses are proposing 178 parking spaces for the 254 flats - equivalent to 0.66 spaces per unit.

Cllr Jim Wedgbury (Con) said: “There is a distinct lack of parking provision on this site.

“I’m going to mention Jemmett Road and Boys Hall Lane as residents there are complaining regularly that they have people parking on their streets from new houses, filling them up with their cars."

U+I says the site’s proximity to Ashford International train station means people will be able to access the site without driving, with bike vouchers and a car rental service also available.

Council leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson (Con) showed doubt over the viability of the so-called “car club”, but believes the parking is at a sustainable level.

He said: “I’ve heard in this chamber about car schemes time after time and they are normally a red herring.

“Saying that, it would be interesting to see if that happens for the first time in my 13 years here.

“Young people aren’t all driving, there’s a lot of youngsters who don’t drive as we did in the past.

“I do take the suggestions about parking, but I think the impact of restricted parking on this site is acceptable.”

Cllr Clarkson defended the application on its aesthetics, but conceded there are faults.

He said: “Beauty’s in the eye of the beholder and it looks quite nice down by the river.

“I’ve lived in eight-storey building before and I can see what colleagues say about the mass [of houses].

“It does look unpleasant at times but I do think the walkway is attractive.”

But Cllr Chris Waters (Con) responded, saying he thinks the buildings look “awful”.

“When you compare some ideas of what you can do with a riverside it’s chalk and cheese,” he said.

“It’s just awful when you have colleagues here who are going to vote for this saying it looks quote 'not too bad'. Really guys?

"We can do better than this.

“It’s too high, the parking is an issue. It’s not only gross over-development but it just looks awful.

"It's not only gross over-development but it just looks awful" - Cllr Chris Waters

“I’ve spent three years improving the profile of Ashford and I think this would be a backward step.”

Questions were also raised over a lack of primary school spaces nearby, and an absence of medical centres near the town.

Cllr Graham Galpin (Con) rejected the latter claim, saying: “There’s an awful lot of work going on between the council and developers on how we could provide better healthcare in the town centre.

“We are looking into it.” U+I says the plans will cost between £55m and £60m, taking 36 months to build.

James Bishop, acquisitions director at U+I, says the firm is disappointed the application was deferred despite being recommended for approval.

He said: “We are continuing to work with officers to address the points raised at committee and progress the proposals.

“If approved, the residential development would be a multi-million pound investment in Ashford, which would bring a prominent town centre site back into use and deliver many benefits to the town and wider area, including a new bridge over the River Stour and over 400 new jobs as a result of the construction, predicted economic growth and resident spending.

“U+I’s pre-application consultation highlighted overwhelming local support for the proposals.

“With 95% of respondents confirming they would like to see the Kent Wool Growers site redeveloped and 97% stating they would like to see the Grade II-listed Whist House brought back into public use.”

A linked application regarding Whist House was set to be discussed, but was also deferred following the decision on the 254 flats.

U+I wants to restore the building, turning it into a four-bed home.

The scheme also features a proposed loop-the-loop bridge over the River Stour, which will be designed by artist Alex Chinneck, who previously turned the Brundett House building into a zip.