Nutrient neutrality rules delay Newton Works development

By Tom Kilkelly

6 November 2023

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Credit: The Newton Works project

The Newton Works project in Ashford, a housing project set to be built on an abandoned railway works site, has been delayed through nutrient neutrality rules.

Plans for the project were approved in 2020 and include an 18-storey hotel, 300 flats, commercial units, a rooftop restaurant and a nearly 400-space multi-storey car park.

Also planned were four film studios that would comprise over 7000 sq ft of studio space converted from derelict buildings and abandoned land.

Despite the enthusiasm of the Ashford council for the plans to go ahead, minor modifications to the plans for the homes mean they are now caught by nutrient neutrality rules.

Guidance from Natural England has told 62 councils across the country that residential developments should not be allowed unless housebuilders can show that their schemes won’t affect pollution or nutrient levels in local waterways.

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Across east Kent, thousands of homes have previously been delayed due to nutrient neutrality issues from the Stodmarsh Nature Reserve, near Canterbury.

The government has attempted to allow certain local authorities to ignore guidance but the motion was defeated in parliament.

The project is partially being financed through the government’s Levelling-Up Fund, with the first tranche of £14.7m originally meant to be spent by March 2025.

However, due to the nutrient neutrality rules affecting the residential project, ABC’s cabinet voted on October 26 to ask the government for an extension until March 2026.

Cllr Simon Betty said: “The plan was to push ahead with the delivery of the residential element of the scheme, which now, because it requires slight modification, means that we have to pretty much put a halt on any further major works on delivering that scheme.

“We’re now looking at options to use that funding within the timescale but on different parts of the site.''

“I think the government have now actually realised that the problem is at their doorstep and not with the local authorities.”

By Tom Kilkelly

Tom Kilkelly started working as a freelance journalist for The Business Magazine following his graduation from UCL in 2022.

During his studies Tom became very interested in the works of Irish authors including Samuel Beckett and Flann O'Brien (Brian O'Nolan).

His current role as a freelance business reporter is his first exposure to the world of business journalism. Working at TBM has given Tom the chance to really get to grips with the goings-on in the business hive that is the South East.