Observation wheel at Ashford Designer Outlet, Ashford

“Planning permission is sought for the temporary installation and operation of an observation wheel within the customer car park at the DOV. The proposed observation wheel would measure 33m in height, 29.5m in width and 3.9m in depth and would face towards the car park. The ground footprint for the wheel would be 21m x 17m. The observation wheel would feature the following elements:”

“The construction of the wheel takes approximately 3 days and requires the use of a crane. The proposed installation of the wheel and slight realignment of the existing road within the DOV car park to accommodate this would result in the relocation of 16 accessible car parking spaces. These accessible spaces will be relocated in close proximity opposite and to the south of the wheel. This as a result means the loss of 27 standard spaces on the site.”

“The application site is located within the Designer Outlet Village (DOV) and within the urban area of Ashford, approximately 500m to the south-east of Ashford Town Centre. The site itself relates to an area of 0.03ha which is currently car parking within the DOV. The car parking area it would occupy comprises 8 accessible parking bays.”

“The DOV is comprised primarily of shops with ancillary eating establishments. The site does not lie within an area of special designations i.e. Conservation area/National Landscape etc. The surrounding area is urban in character including light industrial units, Newtown Works (containing a number of Grade II listed buildings), Asda Superstore and residential/community uses amongst others.”

“14/01402/AS - Permit - 9 September 2016 - Demolition of part of the existing Design Outlet Centre and the construction of buildings and structures to provide an extension to the retail designer outlet, comprising retail and restaurants units, tourist information etc.”

“62m AOD), to provide flexible commercial floorspace (7,185 sqm) for use in connection with the film/TV studios (Use Class B1/ D1) including 265 sqm café (Use Class A3) and circa 302 residential units (Use Class C3) and internal parking spaces; • change of use, internal and external alterations to listed Engine Shed building, including increasing the height by an additional two storeys (max.53m AOD), to provide (2,605 sqm) flexible commercial space (Use Class B1/ D2/A3); •…”

“Kent Highways & Transportation – Initial response was to request car parking accumulation data at the busiest times of the year (end November – beginning January) to ensure that there is adequate car parking to accommodate the loss of the car parking spaces to accommodate the wheel.”

“South Willesborough & Newtown Community Council – No objection in principle to the application however impacts on residents needs to be considered and request a condition preventing the use of cameras and binoculars. They also request that operating times should not extend during periods of later night shopping to avoid noise to the closest residents late at night.”

“The Team Leader Planning Applications (OP) explained that viewpoints 3 and 1 had been accidentally swapped around on Figure 7 in the report.”

“The observation wheel shall only be erected up to 1 week prior to its 6 month period of operation as permitted in condition 1. It shall be fully dismantled down to ground level within 1 week of its period of operation as permitted in condition 1 ceasing.”

“Prior to its first operation, details of the LED lighting proposed to the southern side of the observation wheel and to the gondolas shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The lighting shall be installed in strict accordance with the approved details and no other lighting shall be installed.”