Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

5.1.10 The context within which Gravesham's approach towards theeconomy, employment and skills has been developed is the South East Planand the designation of the borough north of the A2 as part of Kent ThamesGateway. This envisaged the creation of a new sub-regional employment hubat Ebbsfleet that would allow for the development of a high density mixed useoffice based scheme delivering more than 20,000 jobs in Dartford andGravesham.5.1.11 Whilst the Council supports this, no employment floorspace has yetbeen delivered and it is only likely to come forward post 2021. The policyapproach set out below is therefore based on the assumption that Ebbsfleetwill come forward as a high density office employment driven, mixed useddevelopment, acting as a key economic driver across North Kent but that thiswill be slower than originally anticipated.5.1.12 This context, coupled with the uncertain economic conditionsnationally, underline the need to diversify and reinforce the local economy. Itis important that the Council is not overly reliant on one development to driveforward jobs and prosperity and its response is sufficiently flexible toaccommodate a range of contingencies.5.1.13 To address these factors and the need to off-set loss of existing supplyat identified regeneration sites, the Council has planned initially for agenerous level of supply of employment land. The monitoring framework willguide the subsequent release of land if it is later found to be surplus, suitablefor alternative uses, and has the ability to contribute toward the delivery ofsustainable forms of other development needed in the area.5.1.14 Table 6 sets out in broad terms, the distribution of new employmentfloorspace and number of jobs to be delivered over the plan period. CSpolicies 3 - 6 set the detailed policy requirements in respect of each of theOpportunity Areas.5.1.15 The Economy and Employment Space Study (2009) looked atopportunities for growth and identified a high potential to grow employment inthe construction and hotels/catering sectors, subject to the Ebbsfleetdevelopment coming on stream. Prospects were described as moderate for:114