by Thom Morris

Planning bosses have given the go-ahead for K College to build a
multi-million pound campus in Ashford town centre.

Ashford council's planning committee granted permission for the
college to construct a new centre on its old site on Elwick Road,
which has been out of use for a number of years.

K College Bill Fearon told councillors it was a "one off
opportunity", adding: "The council's approval will allow the
college to relocate to where it needs to be, in the heart of the
town.

"We are going to invest around £25 million of our own money into
building a state of the art flagship learning centre in Ashford,
and the Elwick Road site provides a highly visible profile in a
gateway location to the town."

Agreeing the plan, councillors also approved the demolition of
three buildings currently on the site - the old college, and the
adjoining Swanton House and the Kent Care Building.

In turn they also agreed to allow housing to be built on the
college's current Jemmett Road college site which will help
part-finance the new build.