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Proposed Dobbies Garden World

Eureka Leisure Park, Ashford, Kent

 

SITE LOCATION AND CONTEXT
The proposed Dobbies Garden World is located off Rutherford Road, within the existing EurekaLeisurePark in Ashford, located near Junction 9 of the M20.
 
The application site extends to approximately 3.7 hectares (9.1 acres).
 
 
SITE LAYOUT 
  
This development proposes to bring a new Dobbies Garden World to Eureka Leisure Park, Ashford. This will comprise:

  • A modern garden centre, including locally supplied farm food hall, high quality restaurant and a specialist aquatics department.
  • Extensive indoor and outdoor gardening plant areas including themed demonstration gardens.
  • The creation of approximately 120 new full and part time jobs across a wide range of employment types and skills including retail, specialist horticultural and management positions.


LANDSCAPING
 
The Dobbies Garden World proposal at Ashford has been tailored so that it is appropriate for its local setting and takes advantage of natural features located within and nearby the site.

Existing landscape features will be retained where possible, such as the mature woodland belt to the west of the application site. It is intended that this attractive environment can be enhanced and used within the proposals to provide a ‘woodland walk’ nature feature within the development.
 
In addition, the application proposals will include extensive landscaping to provide new native trees and shrub planting on the site.
 
A public art feature will be created adjacent to the site entrance. 
  


DESIGN

  • The layout of the Dobbies development has been designed specifically for the area and seeks to take advantage of natural features within the site boundary, such as the mature woodland and embankments which help to frame the site.
  • A high quality building is proposed, incorporating a mixture of materials such as timber cladding and locally distinctive features like ragstone, which respect the character and setting of the site.
  • The general form of the building will be an engineered timber portal framed structure with a combination of timber cladding, larch rainscreen panels and glazing to add variety and interest.
  • The front elevations will be clad in a combination of European whitewood horizontal and vertical timber boarding framed within panels and stained to enhance the design. The timber cladding will be combined with double glazed aluminum glazing panels. The timber cladding softens the appearance of the building and the careful use of glazing makes for an open and welcoming frontage, revealing the horticultural activities within.
  • A canopy feature has also been incorporated at the front elevation to act as a focal point of the façade and provide legibility to the store appearance.
  • The roof will be formed using insulated roofing panels with light grey single ply roofing membrane finish. The roof will be punctured with roof lights to enhance the natural daylight to the interior.
  • A 3.5m wide boulevard link for pedestrians will be provided from Rutherford Road to the store’s entrance and will offer an attractive walking environment for users to travel between the different amenities at the Leisure Park.

  

 
SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability is a key consideration of Dobbies with the methods at Ashford proposed to comprise:

  • The structure and cladding will be timber from a sustainable source.
  • The building will generate circa 30% carbon footprint reduction over its life span.
  • The building will be designed to the latest BREEAM standards to achieve an optimum rating.
  • Extensive new landscaping will enhance the local ecology.
  • Construction materials with a low embodied energy value will be used.
  • Energy efficient light fittings with sensors will be used.
  • Grey water systems will be introduced to serve public toilets and irrigation. .
  • It is intended to utilise a Biomass unit on this project.
  • Recycling is paramount consideration for Dobbies with designated refuse storage bins.
  • During construction waste will be segregated and recycled or reused where possible.


 
THE EXPERIENCE

  • Dobbies aim to create an exceptional leisure and retail experience, to inspire, to educate and to entertain through the quality of the environment, the nature-inspired product and a level of customer service befitting the quality experience.
  • The proposed ‘woodland walk’ makes best use of natural features within the site boundary and further enhances the leisure credentials of the development in line with Dobbies key philosophies.

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