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Plans for a 234-flat development opposite the Ashford Designer Outlet have been submitted for approval.
The East Stour Park project, proposed by Quinn Estates, is set to feature one and two-bedroom apartments across six blocks.
The most southern of the buildings - which would range from five to eight storeys - has been reduced in height by a floor, with each building gradually becoming higher towards the south.
Originally, the plan was for them to vary from four to 10 storeys but this was amended following public consultation.
Talks with residents - of whom more than 100 attended public meetings - also resulted in a decrease in the number of homes by seven.
The 6.6-acre site is entirely within a Level 3 Flood Zone, prompting a large scale mitigation initiative.
Additional flood compensation storage will be installed in the form of attenuation ponds and pools, each block will be raised on columns while an existing riverside embankment will be moved and raised for greater efficacy.
The scheme’s roads and parking facilities will also be permeable to improve drainage. An extra measure is detailed in the application’s Design and Access Statement.
It reads: “Our proposed approach is to provide additional storage within the flood plain by opening up the site to allow it to flood by removing the current bunding along the west edge of the development site adjacent to the river and relocating it within the site to provide additional flood benefits that reduce flood risk within the surrounding residential area.
“As such, the development will provide significant betterment to the surrounding area, by reducing flood risk impacts to over 130 properties within the Norman ward.”
The maximum capacity of 364 occupants will be provided with 245 parking spaces - more than one per dwelling - and three secure cycle stores that could hold up to 234 bikes.
Landscaping also is extensive, with gaps between the blocks for more light and “enhancements to the Stour Valley footpath and river edge along the western side of the site".
The statement adds: “An informal area of open space is located on the western side away from the East Stour River and margins, where there is opportunity for a natural outdoor gym and a play area to the north of the site.”
When the East Stour Park idea was first floated with the public in October, CEO of developer Quinn Estates - Mark Quinn - told the KentOnline: “We also own some land next to Asda which we could give away for a new country park.
“It could be used for outdoor events as a piece of green infrastructure, like Mote Park is used for concerts in Maidstone.
“It would open up the land and improve the flood situation.”
However it seems his suggestion that he’d “give away” the land has been revoked, as made clear in the application submitted on May 14.
In the attached Design and Access Statement, the applicant offers “land to be leased to ABC (Ashford Borough Council) on a peppercorn rent to deliver a wetland country park.”
For more information, or to comment on the East Stour Park proposal, search 19/00709/AS on Ashford Borough Council’s planning portal.
