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The first look at plans for a major redevelopment of part of a Kent town centre have been revealed.
Details of the mixed development in Ashford's Lower High Street have been released by Ashford Borough Council (ABC).
The plans, which were hinted at towards the end of last year, form part of the council's plans to redevelop the town centre post-pandemic and include a mixture of retail outlets and 230 homes.
Currently named 'St Mary's Fields', the scheme also involves the controversial part-demolition of the former Mecca Bingo site to allow an "uninterrupted view" of St Mary's Church.
A public square will be included alongside a residential square and shared gardens in the emerging development, which will also cover the existing Vicarage Fields site.
In 2018, ABC paid £1.8m for the Mecca Bingo hall – which previously housed an Odeon cinema – and revealed its early plans for the Lower High Street spot in a public consultation the following year.
A council spokesman said that the former cinema will be repurposed to "help enhance the town’s cultural offering", with the front of the building kept to create a "multi-use indoor cultural space".
"It will provide residents and town centre visitors with unique reasons to visit and it will also enliven the high street creating a place to visit, work and play for all the family," he added.
But its proposed scheme – originally dubbed Odeon Square – has faced fierce opposition, with campaigners calling on the authority to turn the site into a theatre rather than knocking the majority of it down.
Last year, a request by the Cinema Theatre Association to have the building listed was rejected, allowing the council to continue to develop its plans, which also include building on the adjoining Vicarage Lane car park.
Plans had been put in place to construct a huge multi-storey car park in Station Road to offset lost spaces due to the development, but these have now been shelved.
The development is being managed by 'specialist developer' Milligan, who say that it will bring "much needed footfall" to the Lower High Street.
Milligan CEO Stuart Harris described the plan as "high street reinvention at its best".
"This scheme will create a deep connection with the community by giving them a mix of uses that will enrich everyday life and provide an important connection to the town’s history and heritage thanks to an architectural focus on St Mary’s church and the enhancement of the town’s cultural offer," he added.
Some details of the plans are still emerging, with the council hinting that they are exploring potential acquisition of more land in the area in their Economic Regeneration and Investment Board meeting in May.
A spokesman said that the council were "looking at how the council could benefit if other land nearby was available".
There has also been the suggestion of a potential tower block being included in the development – however, details remain scarce, with a council spokesman commenting only to say that "a range of building heights within the site that reflect it’s context within Ashford Town Centre" were being considered.
"The St Mary's Fields scheme is a vital ingredient in the transformation of Ashford"
Ashford Borough Council Leader Cllr Gerry Clarkson described the project as “the foundation and catalyst to the regeneration of Ashford town centre, providing a dynamic and quality environment to work, live and play”.
He added: “The creation of a living urban community in the heart of the town centre is our vision.
"The St Mary’s Fields scheme is a vital ingredient in the transformation of Ashford. I believe these proposals are brave, bold and ambitious.
"Through our innovative regeneration strategy, thoughtful urban design and planning policy, the council shares that sense of excitement".
The scheme is soon to be opened up to the public, who will be invited to submit their views to form part of a report to be passed on to the council.
It is thought a formal planning application could be submitted as soon as early next year.
