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Ashford's second Aldi approved for Waterbrook Park next to new KFC drive-thru

05:00, 25 November 2022

updated: 14:55, 25 November 2022

A new Aldi supermarket is to be built next to a town's fourth KFC after controversial plans were given the green light.

The store will become the budget chain's second shop in Ashford and will be constructed on the Waterbrook Park estate in Sevington.

The Aldi will be built off Waterbrook Avenue, close to the A2070
The Aldi will be built off Waterbrook Avenue, close to the A2070

The plans have been approved despite objections from an equestrian charity over fears horses might be spooked on a nearby bridleway.

An estimated opening date is not yet known, but it will be constructed next to a yet-to-be-built drive-thru KFC which was approved in 2020.

A bridleway which currently splits the Aldi site will have to be diverted to run alongside a new road and cut across the front of the store.

The British Horse Society (BHS) previously said these changes would be dangerous and the risk to horses and drivers ‘should not be underestimated'.

Despite this, Ashford Borough Council has waved through the scheme and it did not go to the authority's planning committee.

Aldi will sit opposite KFC on Waterbrook Park in Sevington
Aldi will sit opposite KFC on Waterbrook Park in Sevington
The Waterbrook Park KFC drive-thru was approved in 2020. It will become Ashford's fourth, joining sites in Beaver Road, Eureka Leisure Park and the Lower High Street
The Waterbrook Park KFC drive-thru was approved in 2020. It will become Ashford's fourth, joining sites in Beaver Road, Eureka Leisure Park and the Lower High Street

The store will create 50 new jobs and have 130 parking spaces, including eight accessible and 10 family bays, and four electric vehicle charging points.

The neighbouring KFC outlet will feature both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as 42 car parking spaces.

The drive-thru was expected to open later this year but full construction is yet to begin.

Once built, KFC and Aldi will join a huge warehouse on Waterbrook Park which is expected to be run by Amazon.

Elsewhere in Ashford, Aldi is also hoping to build a third store in Kennington, but residents have expressed concerns over issues it will cause for motorists.

Full construction of the KFC drive-thru is yet to begin
Full construction of the KFC drive-thru is yet to begin
This land will be turned into an Aldi store
This land will be turned into an Aldi store
The KFC will offer both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a drive-thru service
The KFC will offer both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a drive-thru service
This land will be turned into an Aldi store
This land will be turned into an Aldi store
How the Aldi on Waterbrook Park is set to look
How the Aldi on Waterbrook Park is set to look

Feelings are so strong that signs were put up to protest against the proposal along the A28 Canterbury Road.

Full plans have been submitted, but a decision on the store has not yet been made.

Aldi's first Ashford store opened in Victoria Road in August 2018.

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