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Northfleet & East Ebbsfleet
This neighbourhood, which covers parts of Northfleet and Swanscome, is situated along the south bank of the River Thames. Residential properties are largely limited to the immediate area of Northfleet, with a plethora of housing types on offer, including new-build flats, terraced, and semi-detached housing, offering spacious gardens and driveways. To the far East and West of this neighbourhood are two particularly well developed industrial parks, known as Imperial Retail Park and Manor Way Business Park respectively. The area is well connected to central London via Ebbsfleet International station, with two additional nearby stations (Northfleet and Swanscombe), which enable residents to quickly and easily access parts of Kent and South London.
Due to the situation of this neighbourhood along the River Thames, the town of Northfleet has emerged as an industrially rich town, best known for its role in producing cement. This is because there were raw materials able to be gained from the nearby chalk mines, as well as water from the nearby river. The first kilns were established here in 1796 by James Parker, and after trade was developed, it started a trend for the growth of a complex of cement works, which opened and spread along the river. The last remaining cement plant in Northfleet closed in 2008; however, there is a lasting legacy of this industry in the landscape today, which can be seen through the remains of the cement plant chimneys.
The actress Gemma Arterton, best known for her roles in St Trinian’s and Quantum of Solace was born in Northfleet and attended nearby Gravesend Grammar School.
One of the main disadvantages of this area, and despite Northfleet having a station of its own, is its location relative to Ebbsfleet International Station. When the station was constructed, there were a lack of pedestrian connections installed to enable access to Northfleet town: the routes that are in place are long, and less than ideal. Despite this fact, residents choose to either use Northfleet station, or put up with the walk to Ebbsfleet International due to the altogether shorter travel time it allows to central London.
One of the major developments that has been approved for this area is Ebbsfleet Garden City, a new community of over 15,000 homes (30% of the homes will be affordable housing) and public facilities, which promises to vastly boost local employment and the economy, with an estimated 32,000 new jobs created for residents by 2035. While the project is still young and only a few homes and spaces have been developed, it’s set to reshape the area in the next decade. As part of this plan, the development will include family homes, apartments, a promenade, a playground for children, spaces for retail, opportunities for community amenities, and a primary school. The development is set to be angled towards a more affordable market, with a special consideration for first-time buyers, and those on average salaries.