The Tanyard is a housing-led regeneration project within Ashford’s Commercial Quarter, commissioned by Ashford Borough Council to transform a prominent town centre site through the delivery of 160 new homes and the restoration of the Grade II* listed Whist House.
Positioned between Ashford International, North Park and the town centre, the project seeks to repair a fragmented piece of the urban fabric and restore connections that have been lost over time. A network of new streets, public spaces and pedestrian routes opens up a previously inaccessible site, strengthening movement across the town and creating a more legible and connected neighbourhood.
Client
Ashford Borough Council Housing Service
Sector
Masterplanning
Location
Ashford, Kent
Ward
Ashford Borough Council
Status
Planning
The architectural approach draws from the character and grain of Ashford’s historic townscape. Four residential buildings are arranged to frame a series of routes and civic spaces, their massing carefully articulated through setbacks, varied rooflines and shifts in orientation. Referencing the rhythm and texture of the surrounding townscape, the architecture adopts a contemporary language rooted in local precedent, balancing coherence with variety across the development.
At the heart of the scheme, Whist House is restored and brought back into active use, securing the long-term future of one of Ashford’s most significant heritage assets. Its retention provides continuity within a changing urban context, reinforcing the area’s historic character and establishing a focal point for the emerging neighbourhood.
Landscape and public realm are integral to the project. New squares, planted streets and pedestrian connections support everyday movement and social interaction, creating a welcoming and accessible environment that reconnects the site to the wider town centre. Through the integration of new homes, heritage restoration and high-quality public realm, the Tanyard establishes a distinctive new neighbourhood and forms an important part of the wider regeneration of Ashford’s Commercial Quarter.
