Ashford Police Station

As part of Project Zenith, Kent Police’s wider estate transformation programme, Bond Bryan delivered the refurbishment and re-cladding of Ashford Police Station, revitalising a 1960s building to create a modern, secure and flexible workplace for contemporary policing.

Working within a live operational environment, the project transformed the existing estate through a comprehensive programme of refurbishment, façade replacement and internal remodelling. The result is a high-performing workplace that improves operational efficiency, enhances staff wellbeing and extends the life of a key public-sector asset.

The project demonstrates how intelligent refurbishment can breathe new life into an ageing building while responding to the complex operational demands of a modern police station.

The existing six-storey structure was stripped back and comprehensively refurbished to provide flexible open-plan workplaces alongside specialist operational spaces, including welfare facilities, IT rooms, radio facilities and supporting accommodation. Externally, the original façade was replaced with a contemporary fibre cement cladding system, improving both the building’s appearance and long-term performance while meeting the latest fire safety requirements. A new roof plant room and upgraded building services further enhanced the station’s environmental performance and operational resilience.

Working closely with Kent Police, Bond Bryan also integrated security and accessibility throughout the design. Public-facing spaces, interview facilities and circulation routes were carefully planned to provide clear zoning, controlled access and safe, intuitive movement for both visitors and staff, while ensuring the operational requirements of the station remained at the forefront of the design.

Delivering major refurbishment works within a fully operational police station required careful planning, close stakeholder engagement and a phased approach to construction.

Bond Bryan worked alongside Kent Police throughout the briefing and design process to understand operational requirements, capturing the needs of specialist teams and translating them into flexible, future-ready environments. Works were carefully sequenced to maintain business continuity while addressing long-standing issues within the existing estate, including deteriorating building fabric, ageing services and inefficient internal layouts.

The completed station provides a brighter, more efficient and resilient workplace that supports collaborative ways of working while maintaining the high levels of security, confidentiality and operational readiness expected within a modern policing environment.

Rather than replacing the existing building, the project demonstrates the environmental and operational benefits of refurbishment and adaptation.

By retaining the original structure and upgrading its façade, services and internal accommodation, the scheme significantly extends the life of the existing estate while improving building performance. New insulated cladding, roof upgrades, replacement building services and a modern heating, ventilation and cooling strategy with heat recovery improve energy efficiency and create a more comfortable working environment for staff.

The refurbishment-first approach not only reduces waste and maximises the value of the existing asset but also provides Kent Police with a flexible, future-proofed workplace capable of supporting evolving operational needs for years to come.