Sir Terry Farrell's Design Vision for Ashford

Ashford’s design champion Sir Terry Farrell revealed his much-anticipated ideas for turning the growth town into “the powerhouse of Kent” at a presentation on 2 June.

Sir Terry, an acclaimed international urban design authority, unveiled his ideas when he addressed an audience of businesses, developers, investors, media and community groups. They also saw an exhibition of the exciting new building developments, transport connections and community spaces planned in the fast-expanding town.

Earlier in the day the exhibition was open to the public and several hundred people attended to find out more about the area’s ambitious growth plans.

Sir Terry said Ashford could achieve national and international recognition as a town of design excellence. “I’m keen to work with Ashford to produce a vision of regeneration that will help it secure a prosperous future as one of the UK’s finest and most successful towns,” he said.

Making favourable comparisons between Ashford and Lille in France, which also has an international railway hub, Farrell said high-speed rail services were set to revolutionise the development of the ancient Kent market town in the same way that Lille had been transformed beyond all recognition in recent years.

“With the Eurostar rail link providing a gateway to Europe, and the introduction of the High Speed 1 fast train to London, Ashford encompasses many of the qualities I believe are vital for vibrant communities.”

Sir Terry acknowledged the huge strides that Ashford had made in recent years in harnessing public and private sector energies and funding to build new homes and business parks, and investment in public transport infrastructure.

“My role is to support and build on all the excellent work that is being done in Ashford, and to help strengthen the links between different projects in order to make the most of this energy and to help build a coherent and enduring plan for the future.”

Among the strategic principles identified by Sir Terry as central to Ashford’s future development are:

• Link Ashford International Station to the town centre, integrating the ‘currently remote’ station with its surrounding areas;
• Plan and create the new Commercial Quarter as a vibrant part of the town centre;
• Create new ‘iconic’ pedestrian bridges across the railway line, linking south Ashford with the town;
• Complete the transformation of the ring road as a shared surface – Sir Terry said Ashford was leading the UK in the development of pioneering shared space urban streetscapes;
• Create a mixed urban quarter at the old Newtown railway works, a great heritage complex with potential to attract creative and design-led businesses;
• Reinvigorate the historic high street, to reinforce its distinctive identities;
• Maintain the highest standards of housing and environmental design.
  
  

Below are presentations and documents from the event

Sir Terry Farrell Powerpoint Presentation - 3.8Mb.

Ensuring a Strong Design Vision PDF - 985Kb.

Event Powerpoint Presentation - 2.04Mb.

Sir Terry Farrell event brochure

Ashford - the smart choice for a fulfilling future brochure