Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

4.4.5 Swanscombe Peninsula East Riverside Industrial Area (sub-area1.2) comprises mainly industrial and port-related uses that sit behind theexisting tidal flood defences. Access to this area is from the junction with theA226 at Galley Hill Road and a narrow privately maintained road. It isanticipated that this area will remain in active employment uses over the planperiod. The expansion of industrial and port related employment in this areawill be supported.4.4.6 Grove Road and Lower Ebbsfleet Area (sub-area 1.3) consists of anumber of separate sites that have regeneration potential. These may berealised during or beyond the plan period depending on the aspirations of thelandowners and the viability of development. Viability is likely to be influencedby the relative success of the Ebbsfleet development to the south. Thedevelopment potential of this area is likely to be further constrained by:• Ground conditions - the area has been actively used for industrialpurposes for over 200 years and is likely to be subject tocontamination;• Heritage and archaeology - the area around Robin's Creek (outflow ofthe Ebbsfleet into the Thames) was the site of a medieval watermilllater converted to grind cement in the 1790s, Portland cement waslater invented here and Aspdin's Kiln (Scheduled Monument) and otherfeatures of heritage interest are likely to remain; and• Existing uses - development of sites on a piecemeal basis is likely tobe constrained by the proximity of existing poor neighbours or the needto retain/decant existing uses (including the local football ground).4.4.7 Part of this sub-area has the potential for residentially-led regenerationto complement the proposal to extend the existing residential development insub-area 1.4 (see below) and this is identified as a Key Site. Initial estimatessuggest that this area could deliver up to 200 new homes. Such developmentwould be expected to: improve and enhance Robin's Creek and the Ebbsfleetstream; improve the greening of this area; and reduce the heavy commercialtraffic and parking on Grove Road.60