Policy information sourced from the Bexley Core Strategy

Policy CS04 Erith geographic region

The vision for the Erith geographic region will be achieved by:

  • making contributions to future housing and employment growth across the area but particularly through development opportunities in and around Erith town centre, Slade Green, and designated employment sites in the region (see Maps 3.2 and 3.5), whilst ensuring that conservation areas, listed buildings, and any other areas of particularly strong character or historical value are protected or enhanced;
  • taking opportunities for improving the quality of the built environment through new, high quality residential, mixed use and employment developments by way of renewal and enhancement associated with the area’s location within the Thames Gateway, and London Plan Opportunity Area, whilst recognising the need to address low levels of infrastructure, including public transport accessibility, to ensure the area realises its full potential and provides improved access to services and facilities;
  • taking opportunities for improving the quality of the natural environment through improvements to biodiversity and air quality;
  • supporting higher levels and more diverse employment, improved environmental quality of industrial estates, enhanced public transport links and access to skills and training for new jobs by supporting businesses in the region’s town centres and employment areas;
  • safeguarding land to enable future extension of Crossrail from Abbey Wood to Gravesend and Hoo Junction, and securing sustainable transport improvements that would enhance accessibility levels, such as the creation of local pedestrian and cycle links;
  • encouraging further retail development, leisure developments and an enhanced variety of uses in a way which makes a positive contribution to the vitality and viability of Erith town centre and its riverside and ensuring the retention and improvement of Northumberland Heath district centre and the region’s neighbourhood centres, as well as the provision of appropriate local services and facilities in large developments;
  • making the most of opportunities to provide improved access to all open spaces, the waterside and marshlands and to promote the protection and enhancement of wildlife and habitats in the area, and maximise the use of the River Thames for leisure, recreational and transport uses, including the enhancement of Erith Pier and the safeguarding of wharves;
  • ensuring all new development helps to address the deficit in public open space and access to nature in the area, protects or enhances biodiversity and mitigates against all types of flood risk, particularly through design solutions that incorporate flood resilience and resistance in areas at risk of flooding;
  • supporting investigations into the potential for wind turbine development on Manor Road Estate, Hollyhill Park and Belvedere Industrial Area, and decentralised heat and power networks within Erith town centre and North End; and
  • designating a Thames-side policy area in further development plan documents, and reviewing the Thames Strategy East guidance document.

For more information please see the Bexley Core Strategy