800 flats planned for former Newtown railway works in Ashford after Netflix-linked studios dropped.

Almost 800 flats are now planned for a former railway works that was previously intended for film studios, more than double the original proposal.

Netflix was anticipated to locate its UK headquarters at Ashford’s Newtown railway works site, which has been abandoned for decades.

But Ashford International Development Company (AIDC), which is driving the bid, withdrew the studios element of the project last year when the plans “hit a brick wall”.

It has now filed new proposals for a “predominantly residential scheme” to Ashford Borough Council (ABC), which, if granted, might take seven years to construct. AIDC, which is 65% owned by ABC and 35% by developer Quinn Estates, originally received planning permission for 303 flats, four film studios, an 18-story hotel, a rooftop restaurant, and a 400-space multi-story car park in 2020.

However, as anticipated by KentOnline earlier this month, amended blueprints now contain plans for 815 residences, with 793 flats and 22 townhouses.

Meanwhile, four additional structures would be built between the sheds and Newtown Road, on land originally reserved for the studios.

These would have 361 flats and 22 townhouses, with a two-story car park taking up some of the area within the new structures.

AIDC executives claim that the project “would successfully unlock the largest brownfield site in Ashford” in planning documents presented to ABC.

“In terms of work carried out so far, the first stage of enabling works has been completed, including clearing and remediating the site of historic contamination, remediating the locomotive sheds, restoring the clock tower and making the remaining listed buildings secure,” they informed us.

“The construction of 815 new houses in an urban area where housing delivery has been delayed in previous years will now contribute significantly to the supply of new homes and help meet Ashford’s local housing demands.

“It is considered to represent a sustainable development, making effective use of land and acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration.”

If permitted, the proposal would include 309 one-bedroom flats and 430 two-bedroom units, with the remaining 54 offering three bedrooms.

All 22 townhouses would have three bedrooms. Although “not defined at this stage,” the existing former paint shop building, acetylene store and clock tower, which will ring for the first time since the 1980s, would be repurposed for commercial or community use.

The ground floor store premises and a gym are likely to be featured, with the commercial areas expected to generate 115 employment.

A new signal-controlled crossing is also being planned at the clock tower entrance to allow pedestrians to cross Newtown Road.

Three access points are proposed: one at the present crossroads close to the clock tower, another 75 metres further along Newtown Road, and one off Samuel Peto Way.

ABC gave AIDC a £50 million loan for the project in March 2023, while it was still under Conservative administration.

Last year, data disclosed by the council, which has been led by an Ashford Independents/Green Party alliance since May 2023, revealed that £13 million had been pulled down by July 2025.

AIDC also received £14.7 million in Levelling Up funds from the government in 2021. It states that the project would take 84 months (seven years) to complete.

Earlier this month, ABC leader Cllr Noel Ovenden (Ashford Independents) told KentOnline that the new project, known as “Plan B,” will look “sharp” when finished.

“Although the council doesn’t have an endless pot which it can keep drawing from, the money put into the site hasn’t been wasted,” he stated.

“Anything you spend ultimately costs us, and that’s what’s happening with Newtown.

Quinn Estates doesn’t want that, and we can’t have that.” “We’ve all worked really hard over Christmas, and I believe there will be some good, high-quality lodging there.”

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