Plans for 273 new apartments in the third phase of the regeneration of the former Northfleet Cement Works have been approved by Ebbsfleet Development Corporation’s planning committee, subject to a planning agreement being finalised.
Bellway London’s detailed planning application for Phase 3A of its Harbour Village development within Ebbsfleet Garden City was discussed by the committee on Tuesday (29 October).
The housebuilder plans to deliver the new homes across eight residential blocks, with 191 private apartments and 82 affordable homes for local people through shared ownership or low-cost rent. This phase of Harbour Village will also deliver a new riverside park, a riverside promenade with informal play equipment, two community centres and an outdoor gym.
There will be podium gardens between four of the apartment blocks while three of the other blocks will have brown roofs, which allow the area to self-seed. Trees and wildflowers will be planted at points throughout the development.
Will Weston-Smith, Land Director for Bellway London, said: “Once the planning agreement has been finalised, we are looking forward to forging ahead with the building programme which will allow us to create more homes on an attractive and sustainable neighbourhood on the banks of the River Thames.
“Our plans will see us deliver a collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments to help provide housing for a range of people in the local area, whether they are looking to buy or are hoping to secure a home through shared ownership or affordable rent.
“The detailed designs we have created were informed by feedback we received through an extensive public consultation process whereby we engaged with local residents and the Community Liaison Group. We also reached out to a number of potential operators of the two community centres. This collaborative process informed the design, layout, open space and facilities we will be providing.”
Work is progressing on the first phase of 121 homes at Harbour Village, which is located to the south of phase two, on land north of Hive Lane. Bellway London has built more than half of the 83 private homes and handed them over to their new owners. All 38 of the affordable homes have been completed and handed over to housing association, Moat Housing, while a new public space – The Village Green – is open.
Bellway London began work on phase two in April, which is located in the central part of the Harbour Village site on land east of College Road, and which will deliver 130 new homes. This phase will feature 90 private homes and 40 affordable properties for local people through rent or shared ownership and a formal open space called Kiln Pocket Park.
Will said: “The homes in phase 3A will be a valuable addition to the high-quality new homes we have already delivered at Harbour Village, featuring stylish modern apartments which maximise the use of available space. Residents within this new phase will benefit from a centrally located concierge, a business lounge they can work remotely from and a private on-site gym.
“A residential parking permit system will operate across the development, with the 204 car parking spaces equipped with electric vehicle charging points. In a bid to reduce car use, every household will be offered a one-year free car club membership and a £100 cycle voucher, with each home designated one cycle space per bedroom.”
Harbour Village is part of the wider Ebbsfleet Garden City project, which is expected to create around 15,000 homes along with restaurants, bars, shops, commercial and office space, schools and community facilities.
There’s currently a choice of two, three and four-bedroom houses available to reserve at Harbour Village, with prices starting from £349,000.