Ebbsfleet development back in play after planning gain review

The stalled Land Securities project at Eastern Quarry in Ebbsfleet has been reignited by scrapping elements of a previously agreed Section 106 planning condition. The developer’s contribution to local road improvements has been cut from £40m to £25m, paid to Kent, Dartford and Gravesham local authorities in instalments. This is enough for the first phases to go ahead, a development of 1,500 homes.

Under the original 2006 agreement, the full £40m had to paid up front.

Eastern Quarry involves the creation of new 'urban villages' with associated infrastructure, community facilities, retail, leisure and offices in an existing chalk quarry next to the Bluewater shopping centre.

Housing minister Grant Shapps said: "The Kent Thameside development - offering the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes - has been stuck on the drawing board for a whole decade."

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