Landscape, Ecology and Heritage

The proposals for Ebbsfleet Central East embrace the River Ebbsfleet valley and Kentish landscape as inspiration for the character of the landscape and public realm design.  

• Water has shaped this landscape throughout its history and is one of the key design features. In Northfleet Rise, the River Ebbsfleet corridor will be enhanced with improved habitat, flood storage, and stormwater runoff storage areas.  In the Station Gardens, stormwater will be collected and channelled through a series of features animating the streets and spaces. 
• An integrated green infrastructure open space network draws the two areas together with footpaths, cycle routes, play areas, amenity spaces and recreation areas alongside large areas dedicated to nature and habitat enhancement.
• The public realm will consist of active spaces for people to come together.  Active streetscapes and plazas lined with shops and restaurants will be multi-functional spaces which can host a wide variety of events.    
• The network of landscaped garden squares and neighbourhood parks will become places to relax, play, exercise, and simply enjoy being outdoors.  
•  The lush public realm will be a productive landscape which could include community gardens and places to grow fruit and vegetables.   
• The green streets will be active travel corridors lined with rain gardens with planting, street trees and places to meet.   
• The importance of the River Ebbsfleet valley as an urban habitat corridor is maintained and improved through careful management to encourage a wider range of species.  
• New tree planting will take place throughout Ebbsfleet Central East, along streets and in open areas. 

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Northfleet Rise

The Northfleet Rise landscape approach focuses on preserving and enhancing existing ecology and biodiversity within the River Ebbsfleet Valley, with development designed to form a positive relationship with the existing natural landscape.

Pathways formed within the river valley will enable residents and visitors to engage and move through the natural landscape.

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Station Gardens 

Within the Station Gardens the landscape proposal centres around the idea of 'the garden in the city'. The landscape will be 'formal' but inspired by the natural Ebbsfleet context and the Garden of England. Designs will use varied and visually appealing planting that will aim to support habitats, improve microclimate conditions, and support sustainable drainage strategies. 

As part of the naturalistic concept, water will also be a central feature that will provide amenity for workers, residents and visitors.

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Streets and Spaces

New streets within the development will be both functional and beautiful, with space prioritised for sustainable transport and active travel within the public realm. Generous footways and safe pedestrian crossings will ensure accessible and inclusive environments, while cycle lanes and bus routes will provide functional transport links across the site. 

New trees and planting will also be integrated throughout to improve air quality, provide sustainable drainage solutions and enhance biodiversity.

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River Park

Within Ebbsfleet Central East is the River Park. When complete this park will follow the alignment of the River Ebbsfleet and will highlight the heritage of both the river itself and the surrounding industrial landscape, whilst performing an important water management and flood mitigation function. Existing wetland areas will be maintained to ensure the river is protected as a valuable ecological corridor. New routes through the park will provide better connectivity across the Garden City. 

A stretch of the River Ebbsfleet runs through Ebbsfleet Central East. The river runs through Northfleet Rise, crossing under Thames Way and along the southern side of Ebbsfleet Gateway under Springhead Bridge. 

The proposals for Ebbsfleet Central East include: 

• Opening up access to the River in Northfleet Rise. In the northern area this will have an urban character, opening up into a much larger open space in the south; and
• Using existing footpaths the River Park will continue through the wet woodland area close to Blue Lake, connecting to the footpath running under Springhead Bridge.

This will offer opportunities for residents and those working or visiting the Garden City and surrounding communities to walk in a natural environment. 

River Park running through Ebbsfleet Central East

 

Ecology

Ebbsfleet Central East comprises a mix of built form (buildings and car parks) and semi-natural habitats. The most ecologically valuable habitats include the River Ebbsfleet and its associated river corridor (designated as Ebbsfleet Marshes Local Wildlife Site). There are also existing trees, scrub and wetland areas which are also important. 

There are also notable and protected species present or potentially present within the site. These include dormouse, bats, water vole, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.

We will be undertaking a number of surveys to investigate the species present on the site and how best we can protect them. 

Existing Habitats within Ebbsfleet Central

Biodiversity Net Gain

The masterplan has been influenced by the established ecology. The design presents an opportunity to retain and enhance the most valuable features including the river corridor. Biodiversity enhancements will be incorporated into the built form, including the provision of green roofs and bat, bird and insect boxes. 

Together, the appropriate management of habitats and the opportunities for habitat enhancement and creation are intended to result in delivering 10% net gain in biodiversity within the site.

Heritage

Ebbsfleet Central East does not include any designated heritage assets (e.g. listed buildings). However there are a number of Listed Buildings, Scheduled Monuments and Conservation Areas in the immediate surroundings, many of which are located within the historic settlement of Northfleet. 

We also know that there is potential for important archaeological remains to be present underground.  

We know from historic maps and records that Ebbsfleet Central East has a rich heritage and has had a variety of land uses including:

• 1799 – Farmland / Manor Estate
• 1898 – Quarries, Gravel Pits and Tramways appear 
• 1938 – Quarrying and cement works intensified. Pleasure Ground, Sports Ground and Allotments appear in Northfleet Rise
• 1966 – Quarrying extends across majority of Ebbsfleet Central
• 1991 – Quarrying activity no longer visible. Landfill site and land restoration appear.  
• Late 1990s - Early 2000s – Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) and associated infrastructure constructed.
• 2007 -  CRTL Opens. Station Car Parks replace recreational use of Northfleet Rise.

Historic Maps of Ebbsfleet Central 

 Ebbsfleet Central shown on a historic map from 1938.

 Ebbsfleet Central shown on a historic map from 1947.

 Ebbsfleet Central shown on a historic map from 2006. 

As part of the outline planning application we will ensure there is no adverse impact on the designated heritage assets. This will be achieved by creating views of the proposals from these assets and assessing any changes they might make to their setting and surroundings and this will be set out in a Heritage Statement. If required, mitigation will be proposed to combat any impacts on heritage assets. 

For Archaeology a desk based assessment will be produced which assesses the likelihood of archaeology being present underground. 

The assessments, surveys and proposed mitigations will be discussed with Historic England and Kent County Council Heritage Team.