Policy information sourced from the The Dartford Plan

Policy E1: Ebbsfleet and Swanscombe Strategy

A 21st century garden city at Ebbsfeet will continue to be created, sensitively integrated into its environment and surroundings, providing high quality new greenspace, infrastructure, homes and business investment, and ensuring climate resilience. This will be achieved by the co-ordinated delivery of integrated and accessible sustainable transport, and well-designed and well-served mixed neighbourhoods. These will include workplaces, schools, health facilities and centres which serve and are well linked to neighbouring communities and towns, encourage walking and cycling, and are connected by modern public transport systems. It will become an important destination for recreation and leisure uses.The use of sustainable and active travel modes will be embedded into developments; designing for walking/ cycling (particularly at locations which beneft the Green Grid), public transport and low carbon motorised personal transport (including for future electric vehicle charging points/ cabling needs). This should be designed to be adaptable to allow for future changes to technology and transport methods.

The creation of a new urban heart at Ebbsfeet Central around a transport hub focussed on Ebbsfeet International Station, and plans for new neighbourhoods at Alkerden and Ashmere, will be implemented. The neighbourhoods at Ebbsfeet Green, Castle Hill, and north west of Swanscombe will be completed. Further development may come forward at suitable land north of London Road, Swanscombe.

Swanscombe Peninsula and Town

The ecological and geological interest of the Swanscombe Peninsula Site of Special Scientifc Interest (SSSI) will be conserved and enhanced. In addition, biodiversity and geodiversity value will not be adversely afected by development. Opportunities will be taken to enhance the SSSI for the beneft of wildlife and people as part of the wider Green Grid network. All development will avoid impacts on the SSSI, supporting and complementing the ecological features of the SSSI. There will be substantial improvements to natural and open spaces across the Garden City and at Swanscombe as part of the wider Green Grid network, including at Craylands Gorge, Eastern Quarry Lakes and the River Ebbsfeet.

The existing settlement of Swanscombe will remain distinct, retaining its character whilst seeking opportunities to improve its overall environment. Development in Ebbsfeet Garden City should ensure wherever possible that Swanscombe benefts from:

  • access to better facilities and public transport, including upgrades to the accessibility of, and services from, Swanscombe Railway Station (or a new station); and
  • improvements to existing connections and the delivery of new green walking and cycling connections, in particular linking in to improvements towards the River Thames and Ebbsfeet International Station.

Further Strategy

At Bean Triangle, opportunities to improve environmental and landscape quality and walking and cycling connections to the wider area will be pursued, consistent with Green Belt principles.

Opportunities for providing pitches or plots for gypsies, travellers and travelling showpeople within Ebbsfeet Garden City will be actively explored to help meet the needs of the Borough.

Policy information sourced from the The Dartford Plan