Abandoned Kent Wool Growers Site in Ashford Set for Rubbish Clearance
The Kent Wool Growers site in Ashford is being cleared for demolition to make way for new homes and a community hub
Ashford, Kent, Wool Growers, Demolition, Community Hub
Ashford: The old Kent Wool Growers site is getting a much-needed cleanup before it’s demolished. This place used to be a hub for farming supplies but has been empty since 2017.
The co-op, which had been around for nearly a century, closed its doors and has faced some tough times since. There were even a couple of fires that made things worse.
Now, Ashford Borough Council has bought the land and is gearing up to clear out the rubbish. They want to make way for new homes and a community space.
They had plans to submit a planning application last year, but that hasn’t happened yet. However, they’re in talks with the local planning authority to get things moving.
A spokesperson mentioned that they’re working on a cleanup to prepare for the demolition. They’re also being careful about the historic Whist House, which is a Grade II*-listed building.
Most of the old buildings will be taken down, but they’ll keep the Whist House intact. It’s been sitting there, abandoned and covered in scaffolding.
After the co-op closed, the land changed hands a couple of times, and there were plans for a big development that never took off. But now, the council is looking to create a smaller-scale project with flats and townhouses.
They believe this site has a great chance to become a lively community space right at the entrance to the town. They’re thinking about one to three-bedroom apartments and some four-bedroom townhouses, but they haven’t nailed down the exact numbers yet.
It’s a big change from when the Kent Wool Growers was bustling with activity, supporting thousands of farmers. It’s sad to see it in such a state, but hopefully, this new project will breathe life back into the area.