Plans in for major Ashford commercial scheme

Plans for an office and light industrial development in Ashford have been submitted. When fully developed, the commercial premises would provide employment for approximately 750 staff.The proposals, drawn up by GSE Group, will be considered by Ashford Borough Council.They concern the Waterbrook scheme which was developed to recognise “that there is a need to create new places for people to work, as well as new homes, in order to sustain Ashford’s economy”.The application comprises new commercial space on 45 acres of the 140-acre site, alongside the existing Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency offices and planned Jaguar Land Rover dealership.Waterbrook is currently home to Ashford International Truckstop. The proposals include increasing it in size to securely park 600 lorries an evening, helping to reduce the impact of unlawful overnight parking on the community.A total of 400 homes have also been put forward as part of the scheme, which would be separated from the commercial property by a 13-acre linear park incorporating a small natural lake.GSE Group has been working with developers including Clague Architects, DHA Planning, Cannon Consulting Engineers, Corylus Ecology, PJC Consultancy and Grant Acoustics.It has also appointed property agents Sibley Pares and Knight Frank to promote Waterbrook.