K College Multi Million Development in Ashford

Wednesday, 04 May 2011 13:19

K College has asked the people of Ashford to comment on their proposals for a multi million pound new campus on its Elwick Road site in the town centre.

A public consultation exhibition has been held in Ashford’s County Square to show people what K College plans for the site.

Shoppers, commuters, and other potential students, (of all ages), were met by the Principal of K College, Bill Fearon, and other senior member of the College management team, who answered questions about the development.

Mr Fearon said: ‘K College has a proven track record in delivering new high quality academic accommodation – demonstrated by the Tonbridge campus development that has just won a prestigious Civic Award.  We are keen to ensure the redevelopment of Elwick Road delivers a high quality landmark building and a scheme that makes a highly significant and positive contribution to the town, and surrounding areas.  Although this is only the beginning of the planning process, I'm really pleased that our architects have designed a building fit for 21st century learning at the heart of Ashford.  I hope that everyone in the town will support our aims and ambitions for the campus, and as a result, we can plan for our new building being available in 2013.'

Architects considered the relationship of the site to the Ashford Conservation area, the context of the Memorial Gardens, access to the site, links to the town centre and station, as well as the change of levels across the site when drawing up the design.

The campus will provide state of the art facilities, a range of vocational courses tailored to the needs of local businesses. Opportunities for European students due to the excellent links provided by Ashford International Station, public access to facilities including the hair and beauty salon and café, significant improvements to the visual appearance of the site by removing redundant buildings and bringing a vacant site back into use, and new landscaping on the corner of Elwick Road and Station Road.

Governors put forward plans for a brand new building on the site following an independent review of all the property owned by the former South and West Kent Colleges.

The public consultation is part of the process for K College to gain planning permission for the new building in the hope that a new college campus could be ready for students in Spring 2013.

The estimated cost of the new building will be in the region of £20 million, which K College will secure from a variety of funding sources, including the sale of its existing Jemmett Road campus for redevelopment.   It will have potential for further development subject to the demands of employers and the Ashford community.

For further information – Sandy Fleming, College Director of Corporate Communications, 0791 7765811