EDC gives the go-ahead to Phase 2 of the Harbour Village Development
The middle section of the Harbour Village development including new homes and a Kiln pocket park has been given planning permission by Ebbsfleet Development Corporation, subject to conditions. The reserved matters application for Phase 2, which stetches from College Road to the top of the cliffs above the road leading to the Tarmac site, was given the green light by the planning committee in July 2023.
The residential part of the project will provide 130 new homes, including 40 affordable homes, as well as a formal open space to celebrate the historic kilns which were discovered during the excavation of the site. This section of the Harbour Village programme was delayed while archaeologists studied the historic findings. The design and layout of the new development has been brought forward with the agreement of Kent County Council’s archaeology team.
Bellway asks for Residents’ Views on the Riverside part of Harbour Village
Almost 50 people attended a public exhibition at the Launderette at the Hive in March to learn about Bellway’s plans for the riverside part of the Harbour Village project. The design team was on hand to hear local people’s views and to explain their ideas for the final stage of the development. A computer generated animation created a fly through of the whole project, showing what it will look like from the Hive to the river. Residents were also asked to give feedback as to their ideas for themes for public art which is planned on the open spaces and paths in the development.
BELLWAY RUNS KIDS BUILDING EVENT AT HIVE HOUSE LIBRARY
During the school summer holidays Northfleet youngsters joined Bellway to learn about building skills and Harbour Village. Local children were introduced to Norman the Gnome, who taught them about the site and how it will change. They eagerly took part in building skills activities and enthusiastically completed an “I Spy” sheet by watching work being undertaken on the site. The event was part of the Hive House Library’s summer project, based on Science and Technology subjects, to encourage primary school children to read. Following on from the event’s success, Norman the Gnome and his partner Norma will be pointing out new work on the Bellway monthly newsletter. Bellway will also be producing regular “I Spy” sheets which can be picked up at the Hive launderette or downloaded form this website.
PILING WORKS BEGIN
The Harbour Village project has taken the next step forward with piling works beginning on the site. This noisy process will last about five weeks. It is essential for preparing the ground to hold up the foundations of the new buildings. Over the last few months the Harbour Village programme has suffered delays. As a result it was expected the piling would start at the end of the month. Bringing it forward two weeks should ensure that residents are able to enjoy the benefits of the new project as soon as possible.
ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO PREVENT DUST
To counter the recent dry spell in the weather, the ‘damping down’ of the ground has been increased on the Harbour Village site. Work has been continuing so the development platform is completed as quickly as possible to shorten the impact on local residents. The lack of rain recently has meant there has been some dust. The increased provision for damping down should improve the situation.
FIRST BUILDING WORK GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD BY EDC
Work can begin on the first houses in the new Harbour Village development and also the much awaited new Chimney View Park. EDC’s planning committee has given the go-ahead for the first 121 houses and apartments, including affordable homes. It is hoped new residents will start moving in at the end of 2022. Meanwhile its hoped that local children will be able to enjoy the new play park they helped to design by spring 2023. Bellway Homes has agreed that the park will open as quickly as possible, which may be before this date, but the opening can only happen once it is safe to do so. Commenting Regional Planning Director of Bellway Homes, Jamie MacArthur, said “This is really good news. It means the first brick will be laid shortly at Harbour Village turning the former industrial land into an asset for the whole community to enjoy”
BETTER QUALITY AND MORE TREES ON THE WAY
Preliminary clearance works have meant that some trees have had to be removed. Where this has taken place new trees will be planted nearby to replace them. By the time the Harbour Village development is finished there will be more trees on the site than when work began. There will be also be more species of trees encouraging wildlife. These trees will be young and healthier than many of those they are replacing and should bring pleasure for many years in the future.
BELLWAY RAISES RESIDENTS’ CONCERNS
Bellway has taken up the anxieties of nearby residents about dust and noise on the former Bevans cement works site and raised them with the contractors. They are currently reprofiling (flattening) the land. This needs to be done to provide a platform upon which the new homes, parks and green spaces can be built. Once it has been completed Bellway will move onto the site.
The contractor has told Bellway the weather and geology have meant that carrying out the work has not been easy. The chalky ground requires dry conditions for reprofiling work to take place or the ground crumbles. The wet summer has made it necessary to take maximum advantage of dry spells. The contractor is in discussions to extend the working hours, currently 8am-6pm. This will help to complete the flattening work as quickly as possible.
Once the platform is completed Bellway will move onto the site, probably in November. The reprofiling stage is expected to be the worst for neighbours in the construction of the whole Harbour Village development. Once it is completed there should be a noticeable improvement for people living nearby.
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ADVISERS ASSESS DISCOVERY
Towards Robins Creek (Northfleet Harbour) the apparent remains of a 19th century (Victorian) dock have been revealed, which may pre-date the former Cement Works. Archaeologists, appointed by Bellway, are currently on site identifying and recording the remains. This is in-line with planning requirements. Bellway is working with EDC and KCC archaeological advisers to establish the importance of the discovery. The public will be kept informed as progression is made. For safety reasons there is no public access.