Detailed plans for 200 flats which could form the second phase of a multi-million pound development in the heart of a town have been revealed.

Bosses want to build two seven-storey blocks on empty land next to a Travelodge hotel and Picturehouse cinema at Ashford's Elwick Place.

Outline planning permission was granted in February 2019 and now plans show what the flats, which will include a gym, a cafe, landscaped areas and a co-working ‘superlounge’, could look like.

If approved by Ashford Borough Council (ABC), there will be 26 duplexes – an apartment with two floors – 59 one-bedroom flats, 104 two-bedroom and four three-bedroom.

Seven are described as being 1.5-bedroom properties, which are classed as an apartment with one bedroom and a smaller room which may work as an office or large cupboard.

Each apartment will come with its own balcony and a designated parking space which will be built underneath the homes.

There will also be landscaped courtyards in between each block to provide outdoor space.

The redevelopment of Elwick Place has been split into two phases.

Phase one, which was completed in 2018, saw the six-screen Picturehouse cinema and 58-room Travelodge built opposite the former Debenhams store.

It is hoped the flats, which fall under phase two, will bring more people into the centre at all times of the day.

But none of the homes, which will all be accessed from Elwick Road, will be classed as affordable.

This is because town centre schemes involving flats are not expected to provide affordable housing under ABC’s Local Plan.

In a planning statement submitted on behalf of the applicants, Stanhope PLC and Sunningdale House Developments, planning agent Savills says this is due to “viability”.

The proposed scheme is instead designed for first-time buyers, families and those looking to up-size or down-size.

Last year, Stanhope, which developed the original part of Elwick Place, selected Sandwich-based Sunningdale House Developments as funder and building contractor of the second phase.

Savills says the company is “committed to building quality homes and seeks to create a thriving community that will contribute to the growing residential population in central Ashford”.

In August 2019, travellers in nine caravans pitched up on the wasteland.

Last month, controversial plans to replace the Swanton House building on the opposite side of Elwick Road with 34 flats were approved following a major redesign.