Plans to turn Ashford’s iconic Charter House into flats have been voted through - but there are deep splits over their merits.

The scheme was back by nine votes against five with supporting councillors calling it an important step in Ashford’s regeneration, and others seeing it as seriously flawed.

Council leader Paul Clokie (Con) moved the Ashford Borough Council officers’ recommendation to permit the outline application.

He told the planning committee: “The proposal is one of the most welcome things to come our way for some time.

“It appears to brighten up the whole frontage. It should make the building looked as though it is alive and that is to be welcomed.

“We are now bringing life back to the town centre and this has to be one of the ways to do it.”

Cllr Jill Hutchinson (Con) said: “When I first came to Ashford I thought Charter House was quite a monstrosity. But with the development at the front of it, it doesn’t make it look so dominant on the skyline. It think it is a really good scheme.

“I want Ashford to grow and this will be a huge start to its develoment.”

Cllr Peter Davison (Ash Ind) said: “The proposal seems to be an ugly stack of prefabricated boxes. The design on the converted main building makes it seem like a 1960s tenement.

“I believe the development is unacceptable. “

Dukelease Properties wants to refurbish the 1975-built Charter House and develop the surrounding land.

The scheme is to create 224 flats in the nine-storey building, which is one of Ashford’s tallest, plus put up 110 in two new buildings in the surrounding land.

The bottom floors of Charter House would be for offices, shops, a restaurant and other commercial ventures.

The council debate, lasting well over an hour, raised concerns such as the amount of affordable housing places and parking.

Twenty percent of the homes will be for affordable housing when 30 per cent had been hoped for.

The developers are proposing to provide 199 residential parking spaces for the 334 flats. Total on-site spaces would be 222 including for commercial use.

Arrangments would be made for other residents such as subsidised spaces in public car parks, or season tickets for buses.

For full story see next week's Kentish Express