by James Scott
jscott@thekmgroup.co.uk

This is how the bottom floor of Charter House could look, if the owners’ new plans are given the go-ahead.
The iconic Ashford office building, which dates back to 1973, could be turned into a block of 204 apartments with restaurants and a convenience store on the ground floor.
Owners Dukelease submitted revised plans to Ashford Borough Council and said they hope to pave the way for the regeneration of the building and bring new life to the town centre.
Chief executive of Dukelease Richard Leslie said: “We are very keen to finally get started on this very important town centre project. The current economic situation made the previous scheme unviable, resulting in the need for a review in order to create high-quality homes and contribute to the regeneration of the town centre.”
“We now have a financially viable scheme which will deliver 204 quality sustainable apartments, all of which achieve the council’s space standards. In addition, there will be improved amenity standards, including a residents’ roof garden on the top floor.”
He added: “We will also be preserving the existing building façade by omitting the balconies and the additional ninth floor in the original scheme. The new shops, cafes and restaurants will bring new jobs to the town centre and spending by the new residents will help bring extra business to existing local shops.”
The proposals for Charter House, due to go before the council’s planning committee on Wednesday (July 18), include a mixture of one and two-bedroom flats on five floors.
The eighth floor will be ‘set back’ and will comprise 24 apartments including eight duplexes, all of which will have terraces.
The top floor will have communal garden that can be used by all the residents, while the first floor will be for either residential or office use.
A spokesman for Dukelease said: “On the ground floor the aim is to attract a mix of retailers, cafes and restaurants that will complement the new apartments, create new employment opportunities and help to regenerate this part of the town.”