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Ebbsfleet Central East - Submission of Outline Planning Application

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation have submitted their outline planning application for the first phase of new development of Ebbsfleet Central, located around Ebbsfleet International Railway Station.

The outline planning application (OPA) for Ebbsfleet Central East is the first phase of a milestone project within Ebbsfleet, with regeneration of the land focused around Ebbsfleet International Station.

Ebbsfleet Central East is the first planning application of the Ebbsfleet Central Masterplan, with this area split into three parcels – Northfleet Rise, Station Gardens and River Park. Current parking facilities around Ebbsfleet International Station will be re-provided and the area transformed into modern new offices, contemporary apartments, and places for people to enjoy arts and culture alongside fitness and wellbeing, with amenities to support the growing and existing communities of North Kent.

The Application Site has an extensive planning history, with Ebbsfleet Central having been earmarked for development for a significant amount of time. Ebbsfleet Development Corporation purchased the land in 2019 to ensure delivery of development in the location. Public consultation throughout much of 2020 has helped shape the vision for Ebbsfleet Central East, along with extensive stakeholder engagement and feedback from local community members.

Having recently celebrated the 3,000th home built in Ebbsfleet, these proposals are the next step in delivering a truly mixed use, sustainable community that exemplifies the UK Government’s Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. The proposal is the first step towards realising the Corporation’s ambition in delivering a mixed use, sustainable heart to the new community at Ebbsfleet, one that meets the needs of residents and local community members, with unparalleled focus on health and wellbeing, with vibrant sustainable urban neighbourhoods to support a happy and healthy lifestyle.

The outline planning application for Ebbsfleet Central East comprises approximately 2,100 homes, up to 100,000sqm commercial floorspace, and up to 10,000sqm of retail floor space to include supermarkets, bars, restaurants and cafés. Alongside this, a world class Health and Wellbeing Hub has been proposed to provide primary healthcare (GP services) and other community wellbeing space. There is potential for additional diagnostic facilities to be provided. These facilities, together with space for business, education and research will make up a world-class Health, Education & Innovation Quarter.

The plans outline the proposed creation of a vibrant environment that is easily accessible, with integrated transport systems, a variety of retail, cultural and community uses, along with public facing amenities responding to the needs of local workers, residents, and visitors. Through the offering of homes, accommodation and public spaces, there will be a generous inclusion of outdoor spaces to provide space to breathe, relax and emphasise the importance of being part of a healthy community.

With excellent railway connectivity to London and the rest of the UK, Ebbsfleet Central East will be a well-integrated transport hub based on public transport and active travel. This unparalleled connectivity will be reinforced by providing a network of well-designed public and green spaces and new connections across the site and to wider communities. These will be designed as direct, safe, secure, and attractive routes to encourage walking and cycling.

The outline planning application will seek to establish whether the scale and nature of the proposed development would be acceptable to the local planning authority, before a fully detailed proposal is put forward. From this outline planning application, EDC are looking to secure connectivity, building heights, density, green and blue infrastructure, and land use.

A decision on the outline planning application will be given early 2023.

The outline planning application can be viewed online: http://applications.ebbsfleetdc.org.uk/online-applications/ using reference EDC/22/0168. For details on how the responses to the Public Consultation have been accounted for in the Outline Planning Application, please see the Statement of Community Involvement.

Posted on 6th October 2022

by Ruth Bryan