Green light for Waterbrook proposals

Plans to develop Waterbrook, the 140-acre site near junction 10 of the M20 at Ashford, have been given the green light.Under the proposals, HGV parking capacity at the Ashford International Truckstop will be doubled, while new commercial property is expected to create nearly 1,000 jobs. Retail space, 400 homes and parkland is also envisaged.The proposals for Waterbrook, the land owned by Ashford-based GSE Group, were unanimously approved by Ashford Borough Council.GSE Group is expected to start work in September on the new, larger Ashford International Truckstop. When completed it will provide secure daytime and overnight parking for 600 HGVs.During the construction programme, the existing truckstop will remain operational, helping minimise unlawful HGV parking in and around Ashford.Forty-five acres of Waterbrook will be developed for 70,000 sq ft of new commercial space, alongside the existing Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency offices and planned Jaguar Land Rover dealership. When fully developed the commercial premises will provide employment for around 950 workers.Waterbrook will include 400 new homes, which will be separated from the commercial property by a 13-acre linear park incorporating a small natural lake. A further 25 acres will be left undeveloped and schemes put in place to enhance the local ecology.Recognising the need for local retail space, Ashford Borough Council has approved plans to develop a foodstore, as well as drive-through restaurants, plus a petrol filling station.The Maidstone office of DHA Planning took the lead on the planning application, environmental impact assessment and outline masterplanning for the site.