Media centre

Wednesday 18 Jan 2006

ASDA LEADS THE WAY ON MAIDSTONE EAST REGENERATION

Region & Route:

| Southern

Initial proposals for a mixed-use regeneration of the Maidstone East site are being prepared by ASDA, following its appointment as preferred developer by the site’s owners, Network Rail.  The site, which includes Maidstone East railway station, is currently predominantly used for commuter car parking. ASDA’s proposals, which are expected to be submitted as a planning application to Maidstone Borough Council in mid-2006, include: ·        A new station ticket hall and improvements to the platforms and waiting areas ·        Mobility impaired access to platforms via lifts ·        Commuter parking for 556 cars ·        A 50-55,000 sq ft ASDA superstore ·        Customer parking for 515 cars ·        100 new homes, including affordable housing ·        A hotel ·        An improved road layout, bus stops and taxi rank ·        Enhanced pedestrian links with the rest of the town centre ·        Major improvements to Sessions House Square The announcement follows a thorough tendering process to find a suitable developer for the site. Network Rail’s Route Director, Andrew Munden, said: “We are delighted to announce Asda as the developer of this project. The area around Maidstone East station has enormous potential and the Asda scheme stood out as one that will maximize the development opportunity of this site. The proposals outlined by Asda will help deliver the type of station that Network Rail aspires to and will provide first-class facilities fit for the county town of Kent.” Maidstone Council Leader, Mick Stevens said: "This is more great news for Maidstone, confirming the continued interest in the town so soon after the completion of Fremlin Walk. I am looking forward to another highest quality scheme and a railway station for everyone to be proud of in the County Town." ASDA has wanted to open a store in Maidstone for a number of years.  “We know that a lot of local people currently travel outside of Maidstone for their shopping,” says ASDA’s Becky Burch.  “We want to give these shoppers the opportunity to shop at an ASDA close to home, as well as attracting new customers and investment to the town centre.” The new ASDA store would include ASDA’s full food range, as well as a number of specialist non-food departments.  “Our research has shown that there is strong demand in Maidstone for George clothing, for example, and this will be well represented in the new store,” confirms Becky.  The store will also create around 500 new jobs for local people. The proposed new homes would be located to the south of the railway line, while the hotel would be built above part of the ASDA store.  There would be significant improvements to Sessions House Square – the ASDA store will face directly onto this, at street level – to create a new civic space for Maidstone. “Our proposals represent a genuine mixed-use regeneration scheme,’ Becky continues.  “The ASDA store is just one part of a scheme that will make a real contribution towards extending and strengthening Maidstone town centre.  We will also be improving a key gateway to the town, providing more parking and delivering a much needed hotel and homes.  We are confident that our proposals will act as a catalyst to encourage others to invest in Maidstone.” If ASDA is granted a planning consent during 2006, work will begin on-site in mid 2007  with the new store set to open in late 2008 at the earliest. However, before ASDA submits its planning application, it will undertake an extensive public consultation.  “We are very conscious that this is a key site in Maidstone,” concludes Becky Burch.  “We will give everyone an opportunity to comment on our plans before we submit a planning application and will be holding a full public consultation early this year.  Details of this consultation will be published in the local press to ensure those with an interest can get involved.”