There are growing fears history is being “demolished” at a long-abandoned railway works as construction progresses on 303 flats.

Contractors are turning Grade II-listed engine sheds at Ashford's Newtown railway works into a residential scheme as part of a £250m redevelopment.

But drone images taken in recent days have sparked concern as brickwork on the side of the sheds has been taken down.

Ashford International Development Company (AIDC) - 65% owned by Ashford Borough Council (ABC) and 35% by developers Quinn Estates - is behind the project, which was approved in 2020.

Bridge-based Quinn Estates says “utmost care is being taken” in the works, which has so far seen 50,000 bricks “removed and preserved”.

The scheme was also expected to include four film studios linked to Netflix, but a question mark now hangs over that part of the plan as bosses have been unable to secure an operator.

The studios were set to be built opposite the former engine sheds, but developers said in September how four potential operators interested in the project - called Ashford International Studios - had failed to provide a "viable business proposition".

It means contractors are currently focusing on the Victorian engine sheds, which are one of the UK's longest listed buildings, stretching across 350 metres.

Quinn Estates says its work is “essential in ensuring the significant heritage assets on the site are restored and brought back into active use”.

It is using £14.7 million of Levelling Up funding from the government on the project, but South Willesborough resident Carl Pearson says he feels “history is being demolished”.

“I understand it can’t sit empty forever, so I hope as much can be preserved as possible,” the 42-year-old said.

“My biggest concern is about even more traffic which is all around here.

“But although I’m a bit sick of all the houses being built in Ashford, I’m all for development on brownfield land.”

Fed-up neighbour Rebecca Woodcock has raised concerns over the longevity of the works.

“It would be nice for the buildings to be preserved,” the 43-year-old Newtown Road resident said.

“But with all the noise and palaver I would rather it just be sorted as soon as possible now after all of these years.

“They’ve been working early on Sundays too which hasn’t been great, and we were basically told ‘tough’.

“It would be great for something nice to be there, but it’s important to people around here that it is looked after as an older building, especially somewhere there like the railway.”

Fellow resident Linda Christie says she is looking forward to the studios, but admits she is now unsure they will come to fruition.

“It seems many local residents would rather live in the past,” she said.

“I'm not attached to the buildings, but I daresay enough will be kept."

Quinn Estates says the current programme of works, which is due to be completed in April, also includes restoration of the site’s clock tower, and construction of access roads.

“We can reassure residents that the utmost care is being taken, in accordance with planning conditions set when the proposed works were approved by ABC,” a spokesman said.

“Furthermore, we are working to the requirements of the council’s heritage team. There is a process to follow, and we are following that to the letter.

“Work is progressing well, with the scaffolding along Samuel Peto Way [next to the site] set to be removed completely within the next fortnight.

“This will offer a glimpse of how the remainder of this restoration project will look once complete.”

Quinn Estates says the bricks it has removed will be used in the “repair and stabilisation of the facade of these historic engine sheds”.

“The careful reinstatement of brickwork and archways is now underway,” the spokesman said.

“There is still more to do, including preserving more of the brickwork.

“While carrying out the work, we have discovered areas that have required more repair work than expected.

“This has been discussed with the planning department at ABC and a way forward agreed on the preservation works required.

“It is important to get this done right, not only in terms of appearance, but in strengthening and repairing these historic listed structures.”

Quinn Estates says some of the rail and crane tracks in the sheds “have been lifted up temporarily in order to carry out works, including the removal of old concrete, but will be reinstated”.

“Some decorative arches have also been removed in line with the listed building consent,” they added.

“This was necessary to carry out work to the inner brickwork and will help in preserving these much-loved buildings for generations to come.

“These arches will be rebuilt, as originally intended, using some of the 50,000 preserved bricks that have been retained.”

Quinn Estates says noise from the site has been “unavoidable due to the kind of work taking place on site, and we thank local residents for bearing with us”.

“In terms of site working hours, work normally only takes place at set times during the week,” the spokesman said.

“However, some weekend work has been required during this phase, for safety reasons, in order to prepare an improved access route at entrance points into the site that we share with Network Rail. That work has now been completed.

“We will continue to share updates on progress, including attending meetings of South Willesborough and Newtown Community Council, and look forward to being able to share the final results of the restoration work of these important listed buildings with the community in the new year.”

In September, residents raised concerns over the demolition of a series of lean-to structures connected to the engine sheds.

Bosses said removing the 1912-built structures will allow residents to "see more of the shed buildings themselves".