Waterbrook, the business park near Junction 10 of the M20 in Ashford, has unveiled plans to develop new office and light industrial space for up to 300 people, ahead of the submission of a planning application.
If approved, Waterbrook would include 6,200 sq m of commercial property specifically designed for small and medium sized businesses based in the borough, or those looking to relocate here to take advantage of the town’s connections to London and Europe.
Darrell Healey, Managing Director of GSE Group, the company developing Waterbrook, said: “Across Kent there is a growing shortage of high quality commercial property. Waterbrook can help Ashford realise its full potential by supporting the growth of existing local businesses and helping attract new ones.
“Much is rightly made of Ashford’s connectivity, thanks to high-speed rail and Eurostar, and a decision on a new junction 10a on the M20 is expected shortly. With Waterbrook, and the town’s Big 8 projects, Ashford is set for further economic growth and the outlook for the borough is positive.”
The design for the proposed series of 14 new commercial buildings plus the truckstop at Waterbrook was undertaken by Canterbury based Clague Architects.
Karl Elliott, Managing Partner at Clague, said: “Today’s businesses need flexible space. The new units, each designed to high environmental standards, will offer a home for a very wide range of businesses and satisfy the known demand for these types of premises.
“Locate in Kent, the county’s inward investment agency, has acknowledged a strong demand for buildings of this size and function, especially in areas with great transport links and so this seems a perfect fit for Ashford.”
A planning application being prepared by Maidstone-based DHA Planning is expected to be submitted to Ashford Borough Council in November.
In addition to the proposed new commercial space at Waterbrook, GSE has plans to double the size of the existing and award-winning Ashford International Truckstop from 300 to 600 HGVs. A deal to develop a 3,600 sq m new car sales and service centre on a five acre site has been signed with Barrett Motor Group.
The new Jaguar Land Rover dealership at Waterbrook is due to open in 2019, with the staff at the existing Orbital Park dealership relocating and the prospect of 30 new jobs.
GSE Group has appointed property agents Sibley Pares and Knight Frank to promote Waterbrook.
