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It was a week ago today that an ambitious film studio plan was approved by Ashford Borough Council, a decision that has attracted mixed reviews.
The Newtown Rail Works scheme, which will see the historic site transformed into the Ashford International Film Studios, was given the greenlight following a divisive three-and-a-half hour debate.
Ashford MP Damian Green has described the move - being led by Quinn Estates, The Creative District Improvement Company and U+I - as "game changing" for the borough and its economy.
Speaking about the plan, which is set to see the likes of Netflix and Amazon come to the town, he told KentOnline: “It’s very exciting - I think it could be game-changing for Ashford.
“The idea of international studios based here, creating productions the world will see not just the country, is incredible.
“This will mean a whole new creative sector and specialised jobs coming to Ashford.
“We’re looking years ahead head but in 10 years’ time this could be seen as one of the biggest decisions ever made for the town.”
The veteran politician, who is a member of the cross-party Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, likewise applauded the way the meeting was run.
Last week's Planning Committee meeting was the authority's first fully virtual session.
Mr Green suggested virtual meetings could influence how future meetings are carried out.
He said: “It seemed to work as well as possible, it was good that people could speak and express their views.
“The alternative is to do this without a public meeting and that would’ve been wrong so they are definitely doing it in the best possible way.”
The parliament representative of 23 years noted the virtual PMQs being run through a hybrid system, with some MPs attending and others telecommuting.
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The Conservative parliamentarian suggested that system “could be considered [for ABC meetings] in future, say if someone wanted to make a contribution to a meeting but lives in a village”.
He added: “It may be easier for them to do it using Skype or Zoom - that way you could increase public access.”
In contrast, while the chair of South Willesborough and Newtown (SWAN) Community Council - Sue Mullan - congratulated the council on successfully running the virtual meeting, she noted the group's disappointment with the outcome.
Mrs Mullan said: "We saw the benefits of the development but felt that the disadvantages, especially to those residents living closest to the site, outweighed them.
"We remain particularly concerned not only about the height and impact of the hotel, the lack of an affordable housing component and the relatively meagre developer contributions to our community but mainly about the additional parking pressures in nearby streets and traffic management in the area.
"We have always maintained that Ashford Borough Council and Kent County Council should thoroughly examine the cumulative impact of developments like this one and the Klondyke site on parking and traffic and are disappointed that the Committee not only rejected our request to have the application deferred until the true impact is determined but that it also rejected our preference for a comprehensive traffic management strategy that would incorporate parking, cycling, walking and public transport.
"We were encouraged, however, when Leader of Ashford Borough Council, Gerry Clarkson emphatically insisted that parking will not be a problem and SWAN residents will not be disadvantaged by this development.
"We are pleased that Ashford Borough Council pledged to include SWAN more in future communications and that action will be taken, amongst other things, to improve the Crowbridge Road hump bridge, introduce new community facilities within the site, commission an arts project that will interpret the site’s railway history and that environmental considerations were well thought through."
The SWAN leader called the application "a baptism of fire" for the new community council, and thanked its Planning and Highways Committee, the council clerk and ward councillors David Smith and Andy Rogers. She also thanked residents for taking part in public consultations.
Meanwhile those creatives who already live in the town have welcomed the move, hoping it will bring a new era of opportunities to the town, which currently has no dedicated gallery or theatre.
Budding photographer Ellie Crook said: "I am excited that at last the Ashford international studios has come to fruition.
"At last, Ashford has something to look forward once Covid-19 is sorted - the footfall will rise up and level.
"In my career I've always wanted to work as a photographer on a TV set, help out at places etcetera, so I'm looking forward to start photographing the exciting design of the development and photographing the studios being built.
"Thank you to Ashford Borough Council for accepting this project - It's super exciting to think we are going to have a TV studios in Ashford and the town will bounce back once this situation has ended."
The Ashford International Studios are expected to be operational by 2022, with the likes of Amazon, Netflix and HBO believed to be interested in using the facility.
