Policy information sourced from the Gravesham Local Plan - Core Strategy

CS02: Scale and Distribution of Development

4.2.24 The development strategy for the Borough is to retain and improve the existing stock of housing and suitable employment land and to make provision for the Borough’s objectively assessed need for at least 6,170 new dwellings delivered at a variable rate as follows; at least 325 dwellings per year for 2011/2012 – 2018/2019, at least 363 dwellings per year for 2019/2020 – 2023/2024, at least 438 dwellings per year 2024/2025 – 2027/2028, and at least 186,490 sq m gross employment floorspace (within use classes B1, B2 and B8) during the plan period.

4.2.25 Development will be distributed throughout the Borough as follows: around 3,890 new dwellings and around 186,490 sq m gross employment floorspace (within use classes B1, B2 and B8) will be provided in the Opportunity Areas at Northfleet Embankment and Swanscombe Peninsula East; Gravesend Riverside East and North East Gravesend; Ebbsfleet (Gravesham) and Gravesend Town Centre and on land at the Coldharbour Road Key Site; around 2,280 new dwellings will be provided on other sites in the urban area and rural settlements inset from the Green Belt.

4.2.26 The strategy prioritises development in the urban area as a sustainable location for development. This will be achieved by:

  • Promoting regeneration by prioritising the redevelopment and recycling of underused, derelict and previously developed land in the urban area. This will be principally through redevelopment of former industrial sites in the Opportunity Areas of Northfleet Embankment and Swanscombe Peninsula East, and Gravesend Riverside East and North East Gravesend to create new residential neighbourhoods and employment areas;
  • The continued development of a new sustainable mixed use community in the Ebbsfleet (Gravesham) Opportunity Area, which will include the provision of high quality employment floorspace;
  • Revitalising the Gravesend Town Centre Opportunity Area as a focal point for retail, leisure, cultural and tourism facilities and small scale office provision to serve the needs of the Borough whilst preserving and enhancing its character as a riverside heritage town; and
  • Bringing forward a range of suitable sites in other parts of the urban area for residential and employment
  • development, including Land at Coldharbour Road Key Site.

In the rural area, development will be supported within those rural settlements inset from the Green Belt and defined on the Policies Map. Development outside those settlements, including affordable housing and proposals to maintain and diversify the rural economy, will be supported where it is compatible with national policies for protecting the Green Belt and policies in this plan. The extent of the Green Belt is defined on the Policies Map. A strategic Green Belt boundary review will be undertaken to identify additional land to meet the housing needs up to 2028 and to safeguard areas of land to meet development needs beyond the plan period, while maintaining the national and local planning purposes of the Green Belt.

For more information please see the Gravesham Core Strategy