Temporary 200-space car park at Park Mall and associated car parks, Park Street, Ashford

“Park Mall and associated car parks, Park Street, Ashford Ward…”

“Demolition of the existing Shopping Centre and multi- storey car parks including associated structures, retention of frontage Units 92 and 94 on High Street. Formation of a temporary surface-level car park with 200 spaces including temporary associated ancillary works for a period of up to 5 years…”

“The site is located within Ashford Town Centre, as identified in the Local Plan. The Primary Shopping Frontage extends to the south of the site along the High Street but the application site does not include any buildings that are located along the Primary Shopping Frontage. The application site does, however, include buildings that have frontages within the identified Secondary Shopping Frontage area, which includes the Park Mall shopping centre and four retail…”

“Whilst there are no listed buildings within the site itself, there are listed buildings close to the site, most notably a row of Grade II Listed buildings at 96-104 High Street to the south; the Grade II Listed Tank Memorial in St George’s Square to the west; the Grade II Listed buildings at 1, 3-5, 7, 8 and 12 New Street to the west and the row of Grade II Listed buildings at 7-13 North Street to the east.”

“PA/2025/1763 - Listed Building Consent for the demolition of the adjacent existing Shopping Centre. Application pending decision and is reported as the following item on this Agenda.”

“AS/84/0114 – Outline planning application for ‘proposed new shopping development, ancillary car parking and new road layout’ in the north-west sector of Ashford Town Centre. Granted 03/10/1984.”

“The proposal would result in the loss of the remaining retail and other commercial uses from the Park Mall shopping centre. There are, however, a sufficient number of vacant units within the town centre to accommodate these businesses if they wish to relocate and the consolidation of retail and other commercial uses elsewhere in the town centre would be in accordance with the objectives of the Council’s Town Centre Reset strategy.”

“I conder the proposed car park would have an appropriate appearance and layout that would preserve the character and appearance of the nearby conservation areas, whilst it would provide safe and appropriate pedestrian connectivity to the town centre. I do not consider there to be any unacceptable harm to neighbour amenity resulting from the demolition and construction phases, or the use of the proposed car park for the temporary five-year period…”

“ABC Environmental Protection – No objection. The submitted Noise Assessment has identified that the proposed operation of the car park would not generate a noticeable increased level of noise (+2dB) but the demolition and construction phases would increase noise levels during the period of those works.”

“The interim car park proposal supports existing town centre businesses by maintaining vehicle access, and therefore footfall, in this part of the town centre. Due to some site constraints, the pedestrian access to the interim car park will be from and onto New Street as part of this temporary scheme.”

“A. To delegate authority to the Assistant Director Planning & Development and the Strategic Development & Delivery Manager to seek amended plans from the applicant to include the provision of at least one combined disabled and electric vehicle-charging parking space and to approve such amended plans if to their satisfaction and subject thereto to: B.”

“Standard time condition. 2. Car park to be constructed in accordance with approved plans. 3. The use of the car park to cease no later than five years from its first use. 4. The hoardings in the locations shown on drawing DHA/36654/06 to be removed no later than five years from the date of the first use of the car park. 5. Demolition of the structures that are adjacent to 96-98 High Street to be carried out by hand or by hand-held tools only. 6.”