by Sam Lennon
slennon@thekmgroup.co.uk

THE design for a pavilion in Ashford’s planned Victoria Square has been branded a “dog’s dinner” and “daft”.
Other councillors described it as “anarchic and in disarray” and a “Picasso design”.
Members of Ashford’s Joint Transportation Board (JTB) roundly criticised the design of the pavilion in the Victoria Square section of the Victoria Way development.
Cllr Gerry Clarkson (Con) said of the pavilion: “I do think it’s like a dog’s dinner. It seems to be a bit daft.”
Cllr Bernard Heyes (Con) said: “The pavilion’s architecture seems anarchic, if not in disarray.”
Ashford council leader Paul Clokie said: “The pavilion looks like it has been designed by Picasso.”
An artist’s impression of the pavilion was provided in a report for the committee, made of members of Kent County Council and Ashford Borough Council.
But the report said that the detailed design was still being developed to refine it and to establish a costing for the work.
Report author Jamie Watson said: “The design team is in the process of defining the specific materials, colour and finish of the structure.”
Councillors agreed to accept the report but raise their concerns about the pavilion.
Victoria Square is a planned new public square next to Victoria Road Primary School.
It is part of the development of Victoria Way, the new road linking Ashford International Station with the A28 Chart Road.
The pavilion will provide a shelter for parents waiting to collect their children from school and could also be used as a waiting area for the future Smartlink bus service.
The whole Victoria Way project is expected to be finished by 2021 and is estimated to cost £16.5 million, with the government financing it. The pavilion itself has not yet been costed.
What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, 34-36 North Street, Ashford, Kent TN24 8JR or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk