Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

2.7.4 As well as contributing to the development of public transport hubs inGravesend and Ebbsfleet, high speed rail services provide an opportunity toattract more businesses into the Borough due to greater accessibility and, inturn, to create more higher quality jobs locally.2.7.5 In view of the above, there is a need to improve the local economy by:• improving the skills of the local workforce;• providing a greater number, variety and quality of jobs; and• maximising the economic regeneration potential offered by high speedrail services which now link Ebbsfleet and Gravesend town centre withLondon and Europe, by ensuring a ready supply of good quality sitesfor economic development.2.8 Health, deprivation and crime2.8.1 There are wide variations in the level of overall deprivation in theBorough. Parts of Gravesend and Northfleet are amongst the most deprivedin England. Conversely, much of the rural area is amongst the least deprivedin England. This has an impact on life expectancy which, for men living in themost deprived areas, is nearly 9 years lower than for men living in the leastdeprived areas. The difference for women is over 4 years. To help overcomethe deprivation issues experienced in Gravesham, there is a need to improvethe local economy as well as to ensure that existing communities gainbenefits as a result of the new developments in their area such as improvedaccess to better facilities and improvements to the built environment.2.8.2 Residents of Gravesham Borough experience some significant healthissues. Adult obesity and the proportion of physically active children aresignificantly worse for residents in Gravesham than the English average. Toenable residents to lead healthier lifestyles, there is a need to ensure thatthere are sufficient greenspaces and sports facilities to meet the needs of theexisting and future population but also to ensure that shops, workplaces andother facilities can be accessed on foot and by bicycle.2.8.3 The Borough's ageing population will be associated with an increase inthose who have difficulties completing household tasks and caring for22