A major new centre
at the heart of Ebbsfleet Garden City is to be created after a deal to buy land
was completed.
Ebbsfleet Central
will deliver a new commercial and residential centre within the Garden
City providing jobs, homes, community and cultural facilities.
Since its inception
in 2015, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation had the vision for a brand new
dynamic centre with a commercial focus around Ebbsfleet International.
Whilst the land has
been stalled to development up to now, the acquisition by Ebbsfleet Development
Corporation of the 125 hectare (310 acres) site means that it can take control
and unlock the site, in order to deliver the full potential for the Garden
City.
The purchase of the
land confirms the Government’s commitment to Ebbsfleet Garden City and the
development in an area which is strategically located to road and rail
networks including a European high-speed rail hub, 17 minutes from Central
London and two hours from Paris.
Michael Cassidy CBE,
chairman of the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation board said: “This is the most
exciting project to happen in Ebbsfleet Garden City to date and we aim to
create a centre that is vibrant and creates economic opportunities that will
be enjoyed by people for years to come.
“We will now be
talking to developers and investors to maximise the enormous potential
Ebbsfleet Central will bring for all.”
The Corporation’s
vision is for the area to become a magnet for new business, education, research
and development as well as for leisure and recreation.
Ebbsfleet Central
will be a dynamic urban centre with a commercial core supported by quality
homes, community and cultural facilities, serving the whole Ebbsfleet
Garden City area and beyond.
Housing
Minister, Esther McVey, said: “Projects such as Ebbsfleet Central
have a key role in making sure we deliver the homes this country needs while
protecting the countryside. The development will make the most of brownfield
land and make a big contribution to delivering 15,000 quality new homes for
families within the garden city, at least 30% of which will be affordable.
"However, it is
not enough just to build new houses, we need to ensure we build proud
communities with a sense of place. That’s why developments such as this are so
important, providing facilities and homes for families in a thriving new urban
centre at the heart of the community.”
The corporation
bought the land from EIGP which is a joint venture made up of Landsec and
Ebbsfleet Property LLP.
Ian Piper, Chief
Executive of Ebbsfleet Development Corporation said: “Investors will see
enormous potential in what Ebbsfleet Central will bring, for the local economy
and for local jobs.
“Although it has
taken years to reach this point with the land untouched by development,
Ebbsfleet Central will be the beating heart of Ebbsfleet Garden City and is an
exciting opportunity for the new communities already formed here as well as the
new ones that will be created.”
There are currently
more than 1,700 homes in Ebbsfleet Garden City with an estimated 4,000
residents. Eventually up to 15,000 homes will be created.
It already has its
first primary school in Castle Hill, a second is being built at Springhead Park
and a third is in the pipeline for Ebbsfleet Green along with plans for a major
secondary school at Whitecliffe.
The first
supermarket has already opened with another being built in what will be the
first village centre in Castle Hill. A new hotel and pub are also planned for
the village centre in addition to the first pub and hotel that opened in 2017
in Ebbsfleet Green.
A new bridge built
by the corporation which will link residents to Ebbsfleet International station
will open in Spring of next year.
