Gravesham - Kent Design Guide

Situated on the southern banks of the River Thames within the Thames Estuary growth area and stretching southwards to the crest of the North Downs, Gravesham is a diverse mix of urban and rural areas with a historic riverside Town Centre and rural villages set in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Gravesham offers a range of economic and residential development opportunities in a riverside location, with excellent transport benefitting from HS1 rail, and road links to Ebbsfleet, London and the Continent. There are also major new infrastructure projects on the horizon in the form of the Lower Thames Crossing and The London Resort. Through design, our aim is to deliver climate resilient, sustainable communities which strengthen local character, safeguard local amenity and make a positive contribution to the built, historic and natural environment.

Development is targeted, but not limited to, our Opportunity Areas on previously developed sites in Gravesend and Northfleet along the riverfront (see the Local Plan Core Strategy for details). By facilitating growth, we ensure local infrastructure impacts are mitigated and protected landscapes and natural habitats are safeguarded, whilst providing homes that allow existing and new communities to grow and remain in the Borough, through delivery of dwellings of differing types, tenures and sizes.

Above: Albion Waterside, Gravesend © Joseph Homes/JTP Studios.

Opposite: The Charter, New Swan Yard, Gravesend © Reef Estates Ltd/Leslie Jones Architecture.

By recognising the need for development and the spatial and physical changes this will inevitably bring, it is important that new development recognises Gravesham’s unique character and communities. The Borough’s riverside setting along with its rich natural and historic environment provide a solid foundation for future developments to be built upon, underpinning Gravesham’s character and aspirations.

Above: Pelham Road, Gravesend. Image courtesy of Gravesham Borough Council.

Opposite: High Street, Gravesend. Image courtesy of Gravesham Borough Council

Development will protect and enhance the biodiversity value of our blue and green infrastructure network when opportunities arise and will build in resilience to the effects of climate change. Through enhancing the condition and connectivity of these assets, we promote their importance in creating sustainable communities and providing benefits to health and wellbeing.

Opposite: Riverside Leisure Area, Milton Place, Gravesend. Image courtesy of Gravesham Borough Council

With our Pre-Application advice and design expertise offered by Design South East, through monthly design surgeries, on major and minor development proposals, we engage in pro-active, solution-based discussions with landowners and developers to shape future proposals that will make a positive contribution to the Borough. The social, economic and environmental benefits that good design brings are vital to achieving our aims for a vibrant, safe, attractive and sustainable environment for our community.

Opposite: Valley Drive, Gravesend. Image courtesy of Gravesham Borough Council

Further Guidance:

Follow the links below for further information on development in Gravesham: