The Government has announced that all Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), including SEEDA, will close by 31 March 2012.
Responsibility for economic development and regeneration in England is being passed onto successor bodies, including Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and central Government departments
Our objective is to ensure a professional and cost effective closure by this date. We have pledged to work closely with our partners, contractors and stakeholders to ensure that the past and future economic benefits of key programmes and assets continue to deliver the greatest economic value for the South East and value for money for the taxpayer.
Please click here for more details about our closure plan, transition arrangements and successor organisations.
In action: Kent and Medway: Thames Gateway: Northfleet Embankment
Background
Northfleet Embankment is an exciting development opportunity in the heart of Kent Thameside, offering the opportunity for high quality, mixed-use development alongside the Thames Waterfront, close to the existing town centres of Gravesend and Dartford and the new Ebbsfleet International Passenger Station.
The area comprises 87 hectares and extends along 2.5 kilometres of Thames Riverfront. The site contains a number of under-used, derelict or vacant employment and industrial uses.
Masterplan
SEEDA identified the site as of significant importance with the potential to deliver the key priorities of the Sustainable Communities Plan and the Kent Thameside Framework. In order to secure the comprehensive planning and regeneration of the area, SEEDA successfully acquired the 'Red Lion Wharf' site, (four hectares) and began initial masterplanning work. David Lock Associates was commissioned as lead consultant for the masterplanning work and a Steering Group, led by SEEDA and including Gravesham Borough Council, Kent County Council, Kent Thameside Delivery Board and Lafarge (the major land owner), was established.
The masterplan identified key zones within the Embankment:
- an industrial core - where existing employment opportunities will be retained and enhanced
- Northfleet Embankment East and Northfleet Embankment West - new residential communities.
Northfleet Embankment East
SEEDA’s efforts focused on Northfleet Embankment East. Running from Kimberly Clark to Lansdowne Square, it is made up of vacant or under used industrial space. The decision of the major land owner TT Electronics (Comprising AEI cables, AEI compounds and WT Henley) to rationalise its operations added to reassure its redevelopment. SEEDA acquired the entire TT site in 2005, developing a planning application for Northfleet Embankment East. Lafarge has submitted one for Northfleet Embankment West.
Future Activities
The main objective for SEEDA was to maintain its strategic approach to delivering a new, high quality mixed-use development and the preservation and enhancement of employment and industry with a view to extending westwards into the Swanscombe Peninsula area. The area is of significant strategic importance, surrounded by existing development and future proposals including Ingress Park to the West, Ebbsfleet to the South and Northfleet Embankment to the East.
Swanscombe Peninsula currently provides land for some heavy industrial uses, such as Britannia Refined Metals and port related uses such as SeaCon, as well as several aggregate wharfs. These have been identified as important uses and the wharves importing construction materials are essential to achieve the scale of built development required within Kent Thameside. This view is supported by key stakeholders including Gravesham and Dartford Councils, Kent Thameside Delivery Board, land holders and the Port of London Authority.
This led to SEEDA commissioning a thorough investigation of the development potential and limitations of the Swanscombe Peninsula area.
SEEDA, with partners, looked at the potential of the area as a base for environmental sciences and sustainable construction initiatives. Finally, the potential for a new sports and leisure focused area in Swanscombe Peninsula, with links to the main transport hubs around Ebbsfleet, is being looked into around Gravesend & Northfleet Football Club and Robins Creek.
For further information please contact the Homes & Communities Agency
