£4.53m investment in light industrial units at Ninn Lane, near Great Chart moves a step closer

Strong demand for light industrial units in the area has prompted Ashford Borough Council to bring forward plans to invest £4.53m in developing a 40,000 sq ft light industrial estate at Ninn Lane near Great Chart.

The creation of the estate is expected to create around 50 jobs with companies who are currently clamouring for more light industrial space in the borough, inject new life into a derelict brownfield site, boost the local economy and provide the council with a good return on its investment. 

A report setting out how the authority plans to unlock the development potential of the disused site was presented to Cabinet last night (Thur 25 July). Members approved recommendations that will now see the proposals go before Full Council for final approval.

Ninn Lane is a former wastepaper recycling site which is nearly three acres with multiple concrete buildings and hard standings. Ashford Borough Council owns the freehold of the site.

Cabinet heard that the development of light industrial units at Ninn Lane would allow the council to grow its commercial estates portfolio and provide another offer that would complement Ellingham Industrial Estate and Carlton Road Business Park.

Councillors were told that the council currently has 34 companies looking for light industrial units in the borough. The report added: “The demand for industrial units remains consistently high, in line with regional and national trends. A development at Ninn Lane would create jobs and boost the economy in a semi-rural area.”

The units proposed are simple structures which would allow small businesses to fit out to their own needs. The inclusion of green energy technologies, such as rooftop solar panels, will be considered to see if they are feasible from a design, carbon reduction and financial return perspective.

The report concludes: “A light industrial development would provide the opportunity for the council to turn a vacant site that is costing us £56,000 a year in holding costs, into an income generator that creates jobs and boosts the economy.”

Speaking in support of the plan, Cllr. Simon Betty, portfolio holder for commercial property & investment, said: “The units should bring a major benefit in terms of economic growth and employment generation in the borough, particularly in the self-employed and SME sectors. Development of the site will also help to grow our commercial estate portfolio and complement our other industrial assets.”

Cabinet agreed to approve in principle, subject to planning permission, the proposal for development of light industrial units at Ninn Lane, and to approve a capital budget of £4.53m for the construction of the units.

Following final approval by Full Council, the next steps are to commission surveys and site reports and undertake planning consultation ahead of submitting a planning application. Subject to approval, the project is estimated to take two years and three months to complete.