Plans to tear down a social club to make way for flats could be just what is needed to secure the future of the long-standing institution.

Ashford International Sports and Social Club has had a home in Beaver Road, Ashford, for more than a century - but spiralling costs of running its larger-than-necessary building have meant it has not reopened after lockdown.

In a bid to put the working men's club back on a more steady financial footing, the club committee has sought out developers to build 31 new flats on the site alongside a smaller club building more suited to its needs.

Plans for the new homes and the organisation's new home have now been submitted to Ashford Borough Council.

In a statement offered in support of the proposals, the committee says: "We, the club, are very keen on the proposed development as it will allow us continuation of a social meeting place that has existed for more than 100 years, it will be viable and well managed and will benefit the local community.

"We would like to stress that this plan for the future was initiated by the club committee who sought out a path to achieving their goals for a future and was not initiated by developers looking for simply a development opportunity."

The 31 apartments would form two new buildings, one of three storeys and one of five, on the corner of Beaver Road and Norman Road. They would be a mix of one-bed and two-bed properties.

In all there would be 50 parking spaces on site, 42 for the residents of the flats and eight reserved for the use of the social club.

To view the plans, click here

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