Brompton plan to build revolutionary bicycle factory of the future in Ashford

Brompton, the UK’s largest bicycle manufacturer, has announced its intention to submit a planning application for the development



Brompton, the UK’s largest bicycle manufacturer, has taken the first step towards creating a revolutionary new factory in Ashford, Kent, by announcing its intention to submit a planning application for the development.

In order to support global demand, as cities move away from car culture to healthier walking and cycling strategies, Brompton have set their sights on a new home, situated between leading cycling cities of London and Paris. The factory, which is being supported in principle by Ashford Borough Council, will enable Brompton’s future growth ambitions.

The new factory will be constructed on a floodplain, which they say “will provide an opportunity to restore the wetland and promote walking and cycling for the local community in this unique, natural setting in the heart of Ashford”.

The innovative scheme will house will become the Brompton Global Headquarters, and by 2027, the company expects to employ more than 1,500 staff. Once full operational, the proposed development will result in around 4,000 jobs being supported locally, including supply chain jobs, jobs supported by the spending of staff and the factory operation itself.

 

The proposals, they say, equate to a £100m investment into the local economy, adding £270m per annum of Gross Value Added (GVA) to the Kent economy. 

Designed by renowned architect Guy Hollaway, the new development will be situated within a 100-acre floodplain. Ashford Borough Council plans to transform 60 acres of the site into a rewilded public nature reserve with a community cycle path and a network of trails. Challenging the traditional perception of manufacturing, sustainability will be at the heart of the facility which is designed to work in harmony with the landscape, supporting a net gain in biodiversity across the site. 


As part of the vision for this unique factory that will become part of its natural surroundings, the development will have outstanding insulation, utilise natural light and air flow to minimise energy consumption, and use solar and ground source energy to contribute to its energy demands. 

The new factory will be built to last, with construction methods optimised; embodied carbon minimised, and materials responsibly sourced to ensure the site can enable future adaptation and be resilient to the changing climate. The development will support Brompton in delivering 1.5°C aligned emission reduction targets as part of their Net Zero ambitions.

 Seeking to ensure employees and visitors access the site by cycling, walking, or using public transport, the travel plan for the site aims to see no new parking spaces created. A wide cycle/pedestrian way will allow employees and visitors alike to walk and cycle straight into the facility, which will include a visitors’ centre, museum and café.  

Brompton has had a relationship with Ashford since 2014 as one of the first Brompton Bike Hire docks was installed at Ashford International Station, which will be expanded as part of the plans.

Brompton’s current factory in Greenford, West London will continue to operate until at least 2030. The proposals for the new Ashford factory were agreed in principle by the Cabinet of Ashford Borough Council at a meeting on Thursday (24/2) with approval sought from Full Council on Thursday, 3 March. If given the go-ahead they will then be subject to formal planning approval, with an application expected to be submitted towards the end of April.

Will Butler-Adams OBE, CEO at Brompton said: “As we face climate change, combined with poor mental & physical health in our cities, where most of the world population live, we need to adapt. There has been a global realisation post-pandemic that we need to change how we live in our cities, to design them around the people that live in them, not the automobile. Brompton has a large part to play in supporting that transition, but we need to have more space to innovate and create the products of the future. London was the inspiration for the Brompton and our success is in large part is due to our diverse and skilled staff who continue to nurture and develop our company. By choosing Ashford we can retain this strong connection to London and the UK, whilst being on the doorstep of Europe. We have a long journey ahead with the planning and development of the new site, but we’re thankful for the support of Ashford Borough Council, Hollaway Studios and Quinn Estates towards achieving our combined ambition to build this revolutionary and sustainable bicycle factory of the future.”


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