Ashford college gets go-ahead for campus

Demolition of three historic buildings is to go ahead in a Kent town centre to make way for a new college campus, despite conservationists' objections.

The £25m campus is to be built on land opposite Ashford International railway station owned by the former South and West Kent Colleges.

K College principal Bill Fearon said the modern design would create the kind of image Ashford wanted.

But the Victorian Society said the scheme was not right for the site.

'Could be reused'

"We are not happy about the demolition of the Victorian and Edwardian buildings that will go and there is also an art deco building going as well," said spokeswoman Eloise Brown.

"They are very well built and attractive and could easily be reused, whether for a college or not."

Planning permission was granted for the new building, which has a corner rotunda, on Monday night by Ashford Borough Council.

"The college has every sympathy with the view of the Victorian Society," said Mr Fearon.

"It is a shame that any old building has to go.

"But Ashford can't have it both ways. We are going to put up a 10,000 sq ft modern building that will create the kind of image Ashford is looking for."