Ashford - The Future

Ashford is getting a new lease of life with the town set to double in size over the next 25 years.

In March 2001 the Regional Planning Guidance for the South East identified Ashford as one of four key growth areas in the South East, alongside the Thames Gateway, Milton Keynes and Stansted/M11 Corridor.

In December 2002 a study to assess Ashford's capacity for growth and how this could be achieved was completed. The Ashford’s Future Study by Halcrow concluded that within the period to 2031, Ashford has the capacity to provide an additional 31,000 homes and 28,000 jobs.

In February 2003 these recommendations were included in the Government's Sustainable Communities Plan. The plan set out how housing needs in the South East would be met by providing long-term sustainable communities.

Since then, substantial Government and private sector funding has been secured, and detailed planning and feasibilty studies have been conducted to ensure the correct infrastructure is in place.

The Ashford's Future Core Team has been set up to drive and co-ordinate Ashford's development. The Core Strategy which sets out the key strategic planning policies for the borough up to 2021, has been found sound.

This work has been fundamental to ensure Ashford is now in a position to start delivering the growth.

Find out more about our Progress to Date and what the Future has in store....