Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

3 The Spatial Vision and StrategicObjectives for Gravesham to 20283.1 Spatial Vision3.1.1 By 2028, Gravesham will have reinvented and regenerated itself from anarea with heavy riverside industry to one that offers a more diverse range ofemployment and housing which respects its unique built, historic and naturalenvironment. The regeneration will have concentrated mixed usedevelopment on previously developed urban sites with access to a goodrange of services and facilities which will have minimised the need to travel.The openness of the Green Belt will have been safeguarded and maintained.3.1.2 Gravesham's economy will have grown substantially and the skills of itsworkforce will have improved. The number, quality and diversity of jobs in theBorough will have increased which will have improved employmentopportunities for residents and reduced the need to travel outside the Boroughfor employment. The majority of existing employment sites will have beensafeguarded. At the same time, residents will be benefiting from new housingthat meets their needs in terms of type, tenure and size.3.1.3 Northfleet and Gravesend's riverside will have been transformed withthe creation of new thriving residential and mixed-use neighbourhoods withaccess to the riverfront. Both existing and new neighbourhoods will havebenefited from an improved public transport network and from the provision ofnew and improved shopping and other facilities to provide for their needs.New employment sites will have been created, utilising the multimodal (i.e.accessible by river, rail and road) opportunities available in this area.Important deep water wharves will have been retained.3.1.4 A high quality new mixed use community will have been created atEbbsfleet which makes the most of its proximity to the international railwaystation, to be further developed as a transport hub. It will be well connected bypublic transport and to existing neighbourhoods and facilities at Northfleet.Ebbsfleet will have provided for the shopping and service needs of its new27