Eastern Quarry Planning Application
Background
Eastern Quarry is the largest potential development site in the Thames Gateway sub-region. The Government has identified it as a 'key opportunity ' for development in the South East and Kent County Council confirmed the principle of the re-use of the site as a major development location.
The Dartford Local Plan Review Second Deposit Draft identifies the site for a predominantly residential mixed use, public transport orientated development. In July 2002, the Council adopted a planning brief as supplementary planning guidance to provide a basis for deciding planning applications for the redevelopment of the site.
Planning applications
An application was submitted in February 2003 by Land Securities, covering the area known as Eastern Quarry. DA/03/0121/OUT, known as EQ1 covers the quarried area, Craylands Gorge and the Northfleet West Sub Station site. This site is in different ownerships.
The application is for a mixed-use development comprising 7,250 dwellings and up to 280,000m²of built floorspace for business premises, education, community and social facilities; hotels; theatre; supporting retail and leisure facilities; and associated works to provide the development.
A further application was submited by Land Securities in December 2003. DA/03/01134/OUT, known as EQ2, covers the quarried area and Craylands Gorge but excludes the Northfleet West Sub Station site.
The application is for a mixed-use development comprising 6,250 dwellings and up to 231,000m² of built floorspace for business premises, education, community and social facilities; hotels; theatre; supporting retail and leisure facilities; and associated works to provide the development. Outline planning permission was issued in November 2007.
A duplicate application to DA/03/01134 was submitted in March 2005. DA/05/00280/OUT, known as EQ2A, was withdrawn in April 2008.
Northfleet West Sub Station
In addition, a separate application was made for the Northfleet West Sub Station site in March 2005 by Second Site Property Holdings. DA/05/00308/OUT, known as NWSS, falls within the area covered by the Eastern Quarry Planning Brief.
The application is for a mixed-use development of up to 1500 dwellings and up to 24,500m² of non-residential floorspace for: business and employment; shopping, food and drink and professional services; hotel use; community, health, education and cultural uses; assembly and leisure facilities and associated works.
A resolution to grant planning permission was made by the Council’s Development Control Board on 4 December 2008. The issue of planning permission will be subject to the completion of a section 106 agreement and the approval of supporting strategies.
Current Position (December 2009):
The EQ2 application (DA/03/001134/OUT) was reported to the Council's Development Control Board on 13 July 2005 and again on 5 July 2007. The report and appendices from July 2005 can be viewed on the Councils website (This may take a few minutes to download). The appendices include the draft heads of terms for the legal agreement and also draft conditions.
The application was reported back to the Development Control Board on 5 July 2007. The report and appendices can be viewed on the Councils website. Members resolved to grant permission subject to a number of matters being resolved and the completion of a s106 agreement. The agreement has now been completed and the planning permission has now been issued.
The Site Wide Master Plan for the development was approved in March 2008 under reference DA/07/01318
The Area Master Plan for Castle Hill was approved in March 2008 under reference DA/07/01326/EQCHC.
Reserved matters have also been approved for the main streets, lake and landscaping under references DA/07/01315, DA/07/01316 and DA/07/01317. The first reserved matters application for residential dwellings is expected in early 2010.
Further information
If you require any further information regarding the application or an update on its progress, please contact the case officer Mrs Sonia Bunn on 01322 343620 or e mail her at sonia.bunn@dartford.gov.uk
- Further information is also available on Land Securities web site http://www.easternquarry.co.uk/
