NEW proposals to transform Ashford's iconic Charter House into flats have been unveiled to the public for the first time.

London-based developers Dukelease Properties invited residents in the town to an open day on Tuesday to view images of the new design and to meet the architects and project manager.

Dukelease plans to build 333 flats on the site which will incorporate Charter House and two new buildings. Of these 224 will be created in Charter House itself and 109 will be new build.

The first two floors will be used for offices, restaurants and other commercial ventures.

Early 2010

It is hoped that building work, which has been contracted out to Holder Mathias, will get underway later this year and that the new homes will be ready by early 2010.

Just over half the flats will be two-bed, a third will be single occupancy and the remainder will be studios or three-bed homes.

Architect Kerry Lewis, of Holder Mathias, said Charter House was a robust structure that lent itself to redevelopment.

He said: "Residential builds require a much high level of insulation so we will be completely relaying the walls which gives us the opportunity to transform the appearance."

Mr Lewis said blue/grey and brown cladding had been chosen to break up the appearance of the facade. The top two floors will incorporate two-bed duplex homes, with living accommodation over two levels.

Transition

Mr Lewis: "We are not going for the big-sized penthouses you would find in the city. We are not making the building any taller. The plant space will still be higher than our additional storey."

Mr Kerry said the idea behind the new-build sections was to help provide a transition between the eight-storey Charter House and the neighbouring two- and three-storey buildings.

Project director Paul Cook said Dukelease had been in long talks with Ashford's Future who were keen to introduce more town centre accommodation to Ashford which is undergoing rapid growth.

He said the flats would be targeted at single professionals, professional couples and possibly young families who could not afford to buy detached properties in rural areas.

Mr Cook said it was impossible to forecast how much the new properties would cost but said they would be in line with the market price in Ashford.

Discussions are underway with Ashford council over the level of affordable housing to be provided.

Project manager Paul Cook said the purpose of Tuesday's exhibition was to give people in Ashford the chance to raise any concerns before the proposals are put to the planning committee so that improvements can be made in advance.