An artistÕs impression of Ebbsfleet Valley once development has been completed
future
development
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Land Securities
Around 50,000 jobs will be created
across Kent Thameside, 20,000 of
which will be located in Ebbsfleet
Valley and the employment
opportunities will cross a range
of different employment sectors.
Ebbsfleet Valley is a project for the
future and the exemplar designs by
highly respected masterplanners
reflect this as they incorporate nine
million sq ft of office, retail, leisure
and community facilities, as well
as up to 10,000 homes, and nearly
400 acres of open space.
The draw to move a business to
Ebbsfleet Valley will be strong, not
least because office space will be
very accessible from London due to
good transport links, both domestic
and international. ³
Rarely in the UK has regeneration
been seen on such a scale as
is currently being carried out
across Kent Thameside Ð one of
the key regeneration areas of the
Thames Gateway encompassing
the north Kent boroughs of Dartford
and Gravesham.
Visitors to Ebbsfleet Valley at the
moment will see a disused quarry;
indeed it is hard to imagine the
progress which will take place
over the next 25 years. But, once
finished, the development will serve
a population the size of Chichester
or Sevenoaks. This is a development
on a unique scale, which thousands
will want to be a part of Ð and the
scope for businesses looking to
relocate, expand or set up in the
area is huge.
At the heart of the transformation of the Thames Gateway in
North Kent is Ebbsfleet Valley. This regeneration project, led
by Land Securities, will provide thousands of new jobs and
new homes for the area and will be a development of which
Kent can be proud.
This is a
development on
a unique scale,
which thousands
will want to be
a part of.
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development
new Bus Rapid Transit system
linking the centres of Dartford and
Gravesend with Ebbsfleet Valley
and Bluewater.
The scale of the development is
also encouraging to businesses.
With 10,000 homes planned in
Ebbsfleet Valley, people will be able
to live and work in the same area Ð
maximising opportunities for staff
retention and encouraging the
ethos of sustainable communities.
The area will also offer a quality
of life, with sustainable nature, first
rate housing, excellent transport
and low-impact commuting times Ð
in fact it is easy to see how
attractive a proposition it is
for the business economy.
A vibrant new community will be
created. Ebbsfleet Valley will provide
five new primary schools, one new
secondary school, health facilities,
religious buildings, allotments and
over 400 acres of new parks, lakes
and open space, which is nearly
40% of the entire land area.
Furthermore, bespoke offices can
be created to meet a companyÕs
needs, offering first rate
accommodation whatever the
type of business. The commercial
centre will be crucial for new
businesses looking to set up in the
area, and Land Securities will begin
marketing the commercial elements
of Ebbsfleet Valley later this year.
The catalyst for transforming the
area into a new business destination
is the opening of Ebbsfleet
International station in November
last year, marking the area as a
gateway to Europe. Brussels is
just 1 hour 41 minutes away, Paris
2 hours 5 minutes, and Lille 1 hour
10 minutes away. A cross channel
commute, European city break or
even continental meeting are now
within touching distance.
New high-speed domestic trains
will be run from late 2009, meaning
easy access to London in only
17 minutes. Further transport
improvements have been made with
the introduction of Fastrack, the
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³ Land Securities continued...
The landmark will be located near
to the first residential phase of
Ebbsfleet Valley, called Springhead
Park, clearly visible from both the
A2 trunk road, as well as travellers
on the new high speed rail link
and visitors to Ebbsfleet
International station.
A judging panel to select the
winning artwork from the shortlist
includes experts from leading
art organisations. It is planned
the winning design will be chosen
this year.
Robyn Pyle, Head of Urban
Community Development at Land
Securities added: ÒThe landmark
will be a focal point, indicative of the
culturally rich and diverse lifestyles
we want to support.Ó
Indeed Land Securities has already
shown its keenness to involve the
community in its work. Open days
have updated residents on progress
at the development and a full-time
community relations manager for the
project ensures regular dialogue and
contact with the local community. A
Construction Practice Liaison Group,
where local representatives have the
chance to discuss construction issues
and be updated on the latest works ³
Ebbsfleet Valley is in many ways a
landmark project. As such it needs
to meet the ongoing challenge of
embracing technological change
and even predicting some of the
advancements to be made during
the next 25 years.
The development will have offices
which are state of the art and at
the forefront of office technology Ð
but the same also applies to the
new homes. Agreements have been
signed with BT and Sky to provide
ÔFibre to the HomeÕ technology to
all new homes at Ebbsfleet Valley.
This means that, be it for working
from home or personal use, every
home will be able to experience
levels of connectivity and super
fast broadband speeds previously
only available in a high-tech
office environment.
To help celebrate Ebbsfleet ValleyÕs
arrival as a benchmark development
on the international scene, leading
international artists, who have a
strong track record of delivering
outstanding art projects, have
been invited to submit proposals
for a landmark sculpture for the
area. The winning design could
deliver a sculpture as tall as
NelsonÕs Column.
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183
Homes will
experience levels
of connectivity
and super fast
broadband speeds
previously only
available in a
high-tech office
environment.
The new marketing suite at Springhead Park, the first residential phase of Ebbsfleet Valley
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affordable homes and jobs for
local people. And alongside this
regeneration, it is vitally important
that we create the infrastructure for
new communities and ensure that
the schools, healthcare and leisure
facilities match the needs of the
local people.Ó
Ebbsfleet Valley is an ideal location
for a 21st century business. With
easy travel connections to both
London and Europe, and planned
office space with cutting edge
technology, it is set to be a huge
draw. New businesses will emerge
within the community itself, and
thousands of jobs will be created.
Ebbsfleet Valley is set to be a
monumental success story for
Kent for decades to come.
Contact:
www.ebbsfleetvalley.co.uk
www.springheadpark.co.uk
progress, has also been implemented
Ð an innovative arrangement in the
development world.
An education programme has
been supported by Land Securities,
encouraging secondary school
pupils across North Kent to learn
more about Ebbsfleet Valley and
the benefits of regeneration in their
role as employees, employers and
homeowners of the future.
Land Securities is progressing
a development which will draw
new businesses to the area, but
also provide new jobs to existing
residents, as well as facilities for
the community as a whole. This was
a view echoed by Prime Minister
Gordon Brown on a recent visit.
He said: ÒThis project will make
a huge difference to local
communities in Dartford, Gravesend
and North Kent. It will provide
Ebbsfleet International station, image courtesy of Eurostar
³ Land Securities continued...