Policy information sourced from the Dartford Core Strategy

CS 6: Thames Waterfront

The Council will promote the creation of a vibrant mixed-use riverfront, incorporating sustainable communities, new employment opportunities, leisure use of the river /riverside and use of the river for sustainable transport, by:

  • Supporting residential development of up to 3,750 homes, including on the Swanscombe Peninsula as part of mixed-use development, completion of permitted residential development at The Bridge and the former Everards site; and in the event that assessment demonstrates cargo-handling not to be viable, mixed-use development including riverside greenspace at Thames Europort.
  • Development at Swanscombe Peninsula to be fully integrated with Ingress Park, providing shared community facilities and local shops. The need for a primary school on the site will be kept under review. Master planning of the site will define the arrangement of land uses on the site and will be informed by detailed ecological studies to ensure that the biodiversity of the Peninsula is preserved.
  • Supporting employment at Swanscombe Peninsula, which, subject to further feasibility and impact assessments may include an Environmental Technology Park, incorporating a low/zero carbon Combined Heat and Power Plant, utilising Bells Wharf and Whites Jetty for the transport of goods and material. At Littlebrook, logistics activities will be supported. The continued development of Crossways for a mix of employment uses will be supported, as will The Bridge for a mix of B1, B2 and B8 uses and other employment generating uses.
  • Supporting new development incorporating sporting facilities and waterside activities, including boating facilities, pubs and restaurants, providing that river navigation, hydrology, traffic, parking and ecological impacts can be addressed and that development is appropriate to the character of the area.
  • Seeking the redevelopment of sites for alternative uses, where they become available through relocation or rationalisation of existing uses. In the case of wharves, this will be subject to a study demonstrating that cargo handling at the wharf and associated site is not viable. Proposals which incorporate sustainable river transport uses, utilising the wharf will be encouraged, particularly where these support regeneration objectives. Johnsons Wharf will be safeguarded where identified in the forthcoming Kent Minerals and Waste Core Strategy. Development adjacent to wharves should be designed to minimise the potential for conflicts of use and disturbance.
  • Protecting and enhancing Black Duck Marsh and Dartford Marshes as areas of biodiversity value and public recreational areas for quiet enjoyment, to the extent that the ecological protection of the area permits. New development will be expected to include connecting corridors of natural habitat along the river to enhance biodiversity linkages and to protect s41 species and other species of local ecological value.
  • Requiring all new development to incorporate a riverside foot and cycle path, linking with the long-distance Thames Estuary Path. Where, exceptionally, public access is not possible, for example as a result of wharfage facilities, a convenient and attractive route should be provided, linking back to the river at the nearest opportunity.
  • Supporting leisure uses at Swanscombe Peninsula where these are of an outdoor nature, or set in generous greenspace subject to compatibility with adjoining uses and impact on town centres. Proposals which maximise the tourism potential of Ebbsfleet and provide fast and convenient public transport links to Ebbsfleet station as part of the scheme will be particularly encouraged.
  • Encouragement of built development which reflects the heritage of the area in order to create a sense of place, with on-site interpretation facilities focusing on riparian activity and man-made influences on the landscape, particularly at the Swanscombe Peninsula. The archaeological value of the area should be assessed as part of planning applications through a desk top study and fieldwork investigations, where the desk-top study indicates this will be necessary, or through an archaeological watching brief. The approach to any finds of significance will be determined through an Archaeological Strategy or Framework, agreed in partnership with KCC.
  • Requiring development proposals to demonstrate, through a Travel Plan, adequate traffic management measures to address capacity issues not addressed by the Strategic Transport Infrastructure Programme (see Policy CS16), taking into account all proposed developments in the vicinity. Measures may include provision for local highway and public transport improvements. Subject to further assessment, a relief road for the A226 and provision of a dedicated or priority route for Fastrack may be required as part of proposals for development on Swanscombe Peninsula, linking to Ingress Park in the west and into Gravesham Borough in the east.
  • Require that Planning applications for development in Flood Zones 2 and 3 are accompanied by a site specific FRA to demonstrate that development is safe and will pass Part C of the Exception Test80, where applicable. These sites to also be sequentially tested to direct ‘more vulnerable’81 uses to the parts of the site at less risk of flooding, where possible.

Diagram 7 will be used to inform detailed proposals for the site.

For more information please see the Core Strategy