The site totals approximately 6.65 acres, with the potential for up to 500,000 sq ft of new floorspace for a substantial mixed-use development comprising retail, leisure facilities, offices and residential accommodation.
Located directly opposite ING's County Square Shopping Centre extension, Elwick Place runs along the majority of Elwick Road and comprises the former Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) depot and the old Cattle Market, which SEEDA required in May this year.
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Martin Barrow, SEEDA Senior Development Executive, said: "The delivery of Elwick Place to the market for private sector investment is the culmination of significant activity via the Ashford’s Future Partnership since the launch of the Government’s Sustainable Communities Plan in 2003.
"The long held ambition for Ashford to become a major Growth Area in the South East is now set to become a reality with the significant public sector funding setting the foundations for the private sector to now take the lead."
Over the next few months SEEDA will be seeking initial expressions of interest from developers wishing to get involved with the site. Following this a short list will be drawn up by a panel of partners including Ashford Borough Council, English Partnerships and SEEDA inviting selected developers to submit more detailed proposals for the scheme.
It is anticipated that a final decision on the selected sector partner will take place in April 2008. Ashford is expected to deliver 28,000 jobs and 31,000 homes within the next 30 years. Other areas in the South East recognised for growth in the Sustainable Communities Plans are the Thames Gateway (Kent) and Milton Keynes.
(JM)
