The Tanyard

Ashford 
EXPLORE

Contract

Procurement

JCT

Traditional

Value

Services

Not Disclosed

QS

Sector

Client

Residential

Ashford Borough Council

Heritage-led riverside living for Ashford Borough Council

Kent Construction Consultants Limited has been appointed by Ashford Borough Council to deliver professional Quantity Surveying services for The Tanyard, a landmark regeneration proposal set to create a new riverside neighbourhood in the heart of Ashford.

Working alongside On Architecture, appointed as the project’s architects and lead designers, the wider consultant team is progressing a landscape-led residential development comprising 160 new homes across four apartment buildings, all six storeys or fewer.

Located just 200 metres south of Ashford International Station, The Tanyard will transform a historically significant brownfield site into a distinctive new neighbourhood that responds to local housing need, supports sustainable travel and reconnects the town centre with the River Great Stour.

more on quantity surveying

A new chapter for a historic Ashford site

Formerly occupied by Kent Wool Growers for almost a century, The Tanyard has a strong industrial and commercial heritage. The proposals, led architecturally by On Architecture, take inspiration from the site’s historic tannery use, retaining its character while introducing a contemporary and sustainable residential neighbourhood.

At the heart of the scheme is the retention and restoration of the Grade II listed Whist House, which will be sensitively brought back into use as a new housing facility for Ashford Borough Council. This important heritage asset will provide a focal point for the development, ensuring that the site’s history remains embedded within its future identity.

Reconnecting the riverside

The Tanyard will create a more accessible, welcoming and connected riverside environment along the Great Stour.

A key part of the vision is the reinstatement of Tanyard Lane as a pedestrian and cycle-focused route for the first time in more than 100 years. This will improve movement through the site and strengthen links between Ashford International Station, the Stour Centre, Civic Park and Ashford town centre.

New courtyards, shared surfaces and landscaped public spaces will provide residents and visitors with opportunities to enjoy the riverside setting, while helping establish a safer and more attractive public realm.

Design rooted in heritage and place

On Architecture’s design approach responds carefully to the scale, character and historic significance of the site, balancing the restoration of the Whist House with new contemporary homes and public spaces.

The four apartment blocks have been developed at a considered scale of six storeys or fewer, helping to create a coherent townscape while maintaining a strong relationship with the surrounding streets, riverside edge and nearby town-centre amenities. The proposals seek to establish a distinctive identity for The Tanyard, drawing from Ashford’s tannery heritage through materiality, landscaping, routes and public realm design.

Sustainable homes for a connected town centre

Sustainability is embedded within the development’s location, layout and long-term approach to place-making. Situated within easy walking and cycling distance of Ashford International Station, the town centre, Civic Park and the Stour Centre, The Tanyard will encourage lower-carbon travel and reduce dependence on private vehicles.

The scheme incorporates a sustainable parking provision of approximately 0.4 spaces per home, reflecting the site’s exceptional accessibility and supporting a more balanced approach to transport planning.

The reuse and restoration of the Grade II* listed Whist House also represent an important part of the project’s sustainability strategy, retaining embodied value within the existing built environment while giving a significant heritage asset a practical new purpose.

Landscape-led design, improved pedestrian and cycle routes, riverside public realm and carefully planned shared spaces will further support a healthier, more connected and resilient neighbourhood for Ashford residents.

more on sustainability

Cost planning with certainty at every stage

Kent Construction Consultants will provide thorough and proactive Quantity Surveying support throughout the development process, helping Ashford Borough Council maintain clear financial control from feasibility through to procurement and delivery.

Our role will include detailed cost planning, option appraisals, benchmarking, risk allowances, procurement advice, tender support, cost reporting and value management. This will enable the Council and project team to understand the financial impact of key design decisions at each stage, while protecting the scheme’s housing, heritage, sustainability and placemaking objectives.

Through early engagement with On Architecture and the wider consultant team, we will test buildability, sequencing, specification and market considerations to identify opportunities for cost efficiency without compromising quality or long-term value.

more on quantity surveying

Collaborative client engagement

Kent Construction Consultants recognises the importance of regular, transparent and informed client engagement on public-sector regeneration projects. We will work closely with Ashford Borough Council through structured cost-plan reviews, stakeholder workshops, design meetings and clear reporting, ensuring that commercial decisions are understood, tested and aligned with the Council’s priorities.

This collaborative approach will support timely decision-making, provide visibility of risk and opportunity, and help ensure that the project remains deliverable within the agreed budget and programme parameters.

Regeneration with people and place at its heart

The Tanyard represents an important opportunity to deliver much-needed homes while restoring a long-standing connection between Ashford’s town centre, its heritage and the River Great Stour.

By combining On Architecture’s design leadership, sensitive listed-building restoration, new council housing, high-quality public realm, sustainable connectivity and rigorous cost management, the project will create a distinctive new neighbourhood rooted in Ashford’s past and designed for its future.

Similar Projects

accreditations

Guided by integrity, certified by RICS

Our RICS chartered status ensures we uphold the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and excellence - giving you complete confidence in our expertise.