Over 15 years ago, Whitecliffe (formerly Eastern Quarry) was granted planning approval to be developed for a new mixed-use community including 6,250 homes, green space and new leisure, retail and commercial facilities. The vision for Whitecliffe is based around three villages referred to as Ashmere, Castle Hill and Alkerden, where The Hub & Parcel 4 site is situated.
The project site sits adjacent to the Major Urban Park, Education Campus and Fastrack within Whitecliffe.
It consists of The Hub to the south east; Parcel 4 to the north; and Parcel 4b to the south. Shared site access is from Alkerden Primary West spine road to the east between Parcel 4 and The Hub.
The Hub
The Hub is part of number of provisions for the delivery of new community facilities and social infrastructure to support those living at Whitecliffe, Ebbsfleet through a section 106 agreement. The provisions of the s106 are summarised in the approved Communities and Leisure Strategy (August 2021).
The vision for The Hub is for it to become the focal point for social, cultural and community life in Whitecliffe.
These facilities being delivered as part of the s106 include the following:
- Lifelong Learning Centre
- Reception and community information centre
- Adult education
- WC’s / baby changing facilities
- Youth services
- Adult social care space
- Library services
- Health facility
- KCC police drop-in
- Religious facility
The Hub aims to meet the s106 aims to provide multi-use spaces by different users to ensure that there is an adequate number of meeting places and facilities to meet the needs of the community.
It is to be developed to a minimum of BREEAM Excellent.
Parcel 4
Being brought forward by leading housebuilder, Chartway Partnerships Group, and registered provider, Moat Homes, Parcel 4 will consist of 55 affordable shared ownership apartments.
Parcel 4 will continue the shared partnership approach between Chartway Partnerships Group and Moat Homes, as previously developed through Alkerden Gateway and Parcel 5B schemes, maximising the number of affordable shared ownership flats in Alkerden.
Throughout the consultation there will be the opportunity to comment on various elements relating to the housing provision including private amenities, sustainability features and landscaping.
The new apartments will be designed to respond to the surrounding urban context of consented and emerging Alkerden schemes – including the Education Campus, Parcel 5b, Major Urban Park and the wider and community and retail facilities located a short distance away within the Market Centre.
The scheme will include private parking for new residents, together with a private external amenity space including a central landscaped courtyard, and easy pedestrian links to the surrounding Major Urban Park, Alkerden Barn and the Fastrack bus corridor.
The project team
The site is owned by Eastern Quarry Limited with the development being managed by Henley Camland, a joint venture between Henley Investments and place-making and infrastructure firm Camland. Construction and property consultancy, Academy Consulting are the project managers for The Hub.
Land-led housebuilder, Chartway Partnerships Group are responsible for the housing element of the project – working with Lee Evans Partnership on architectural design and planning, Hill-Wood & Co on landscape design and CTP on civil engineering design.
CBRE have been appointed as specialists in commercially-focused planning solutions. HTA Design are working on the architectural designs for The Hub. Priding themselves on shaping places that enrich people’s lives, Define are the landscape architects responsible for the project.
Award-winning public art specialists, FrancisKnight have been appointed to to commission public art for the Hub. The focus of this commission is to incorporate artwork into the central building.
Civil and structural engineering practice, Momentum; environmental engineers Skelly & Couch; and transport experts TTC are also involved in the project.
Timeline
- January 2024: Pre-application engagement
- March 2024: Public engagement period
- April 2024: Targeted planning application submission (The Hub)
- May 2024: Targeted planning application submission (Parcel 4)
- Autumn 2024: Anticipated approval of planning permission (The Hub & Parcel 4)