FAQs

To give as many people as possible a chance to engage, we have conducted our consultation activity at various different times:

• Online survey – people can submit at a time convenient to them
• Virtual consultation – taking place on a weekday evening
• In-person consultation event – will be taking place on a weekday and will continue until 5.45pm

In order to get as many views from local people as possible, we have shared details of the consultation period widely. This has included:

• A dedicated consultation website
• This consultation webinar and upcoming in-person event at Castle Hill Community Centre on Monday 25 March (2pm – 5.45pm)
• Local advertising including ¼ page in Dartford & Gravesend Messenger series, a 10 day kmfm radio campaign and digital advertising on Kent Online
• A leaflet drop to residents in DA10 and DA9 postcodes totalling 8,200 households
• Press release shared with the local media
• News and social media content on EDC channels 
• Direct engagement with local community groups and stakeholders including parish councils and local schools

All feedback gathered at the consultation events and in the survey will be compiled and reviewed by the project team and where possible this will inform the final planning applications.

It is expected that Ebbsfleet Garden City Trust will manage The Hub.

The Hub will be maintained through income raised through rentals / lease agreements from users of the facilities.

The planning application will comprise detailed drawings, plans and technical assessments required for reserved matters application under the Outline Planning Permission and in line with EDC’s validation checklist.

Parking and transport is expected to be assessed as part of the application, proposals will be in line with principles around parking and transport as approved under the outline planning permission.

While we are conducting a joint consultation, there will be separate planning application submissions for The Hub and Parcel 4.

In order to get as many views from local people as possible, we have shared details of the consultation period widely. This has included:

• A dedicated consultation website
• This consultation webinar and upcoming in-person event at Castle Hill Community Centre on Monday 25 March (2pm – 5.45pm)
• Local advertising including ¼ page in Dartford & Gravesend Messenger series, a 10 day kmfm radio campaign and digital advertising on Kent Online
• A leaflet drop to residents in DA10 and DA9 postcodes totalling 8,200 households
• Press release shared with the local media
• News and social media content on EDC channels 
• Direct engagement with local community groups and stakeholders including parish councils and local schools

We are anticipating submitting the planning application for The Hub in April 2024 and the planning application for Parcel 4 in May 2024. 

Given the importance of The Hub & Parcel 4 within Whitecliffe and the wider Ebbsfleet Garden Village we anticipate that the application will be determined via EDC’s planning committee.

The planning application will comprise detailed drawings, plans and technical assessments required for reserved matters application under the Outline Planning Permission and in line with EDC’s validation checklist.

Parking and transport is expected to be assessed as part of the application, proposals will be in line with principles around parking and transport as approved under the outline planning permission.

The vision for The Hub is for it to become the focal point for social, cultural and community life in Whitecliffe. 

These facilities being delivered as part of the s106 include the following:

• Lifelong Learning Centre
  • Reception and community information centre
  • Adult education
  • WC’s / baby changing facilities
  • Youth services
  • Adult social care space
• Library services
• Health facility
• KCC police drop-in
• Religious facility

The Hub aims to meet the s106 aims to provide multi-use spaces by different users to ensure that there is an adequate number of meeting places and facilities to meet the needs of the community.

It is to be developed to a minimum of BREEAM Excellent.

We are working up the final numbers with KCC / EDC and potential occupiers, but there are likely to be approximately 40 with a dedicated Ambulance and delivery bay, alongside disabled bays. A detailed parking strategy is being developed to manage the use of the Hub car park.

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation is working closely with NHS Kent and Medway, together with key health and care stakeholders, to support early stages of design for health facilities in Alkerden Hub. Whilst the NHS’ commitment to occupy and final provision of clinical services are yet to be determined, there is a shared ambition to provide a multi-purpose health facility which will bring primary care, community and outpatient services into the heart of Ebbsfleet.

The Hub is envisaged as a landmark building and we want it to have it’s own character that sets it apart from other development in Alkerden/Whitecliffe. The choice of pale grey brick and large glazed entrances are inspired by the unique surroundings of chalk cliffs and lakes, whilst the detailing makes reference to the industrial heritage of the site.

The Hub proposals include a landscaped area to the front of the building that will feature trees, planting, places to sit and informal play. Within the courtyard there is a small garden proposed next to the Hall and to the west of the Hub will be a small pocket park with access to the Major Urban Park.

Yes, FrancisKnight who are a public art consultancy have been appointed to lead on a public art commission and will work with the appointed artist to collaborate with the design team to incorporate artwork to help create a sense of identity and connect people to the building. Part of the process will involve further community engagement and co-design workshops, before the artwork is finalised and put into production.

Parcel 4 will consist of 55 affordable shared ownership apartments. The scheme will also include private parking for new residents, together with a private external amenity space including a central landscaped courtyard, and easy pedestrian links to the surrounding Major Urban Park, Alkerden Barn and the Fastrack bus corridor.

The housing is being brought forward by leading housebuilder, Chartway Partnerships Group, and registered provider, Moat Homes.

There will be the opportunity to share your feedback on a number of elements related to the housing provision including private amenities, sustainability features and landscaping.

The new apartments will be designed to respond to the surrounding urban context of consented and emerging Alkerden schemes – including the Education Campus, Parcel 5b, Major Urban Park and the wider community and retail facilities located a short distance away within the Market Centre.