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New plans revealed for former Littlebrook Power Station site

15:23, 13 July 2021

updated: 15:34, 13 July 2021

New plans for developing the former Littlebrook Power Station site in Dartford include a warehouse, offices, and a new public riverside area.

Earlier this year proposals were approved for Phase 2 of the scheme - a £205m "Mega Shed" for online retailer Amazon, which is set to be among the largest warehouses in Europe.

The site of the former decommissioned Littlebrook Power Station. Photo: Tritax Big Box
The site of the former decommissioned Littlebrook Power Station. Photo: Tritax Big Box

Phase 3 of the scheme - submitted to Dartford Council last month - include a further 26,000 square metre warehouse, as well as 1,600 square metres of office space and a landscaping scheme which would open up the riverside for public access between Little Powder Creek and the QE2 Bridge.

A planning statement from developers Bericote Properties Ltd suggested the proposals would provide a further boost to the approved Amazon warehouse, which they said is set to provide 800 jobs.

"That economic benefit is strongly complemented through the introduction of wider beneficial public use to the Riverside of the Thames which has been secured along the entire frontage of the former power station, through the development of Phases 1 and 2.

"Phase 3 will enable public access across an even wider stretch of the riverside frontage... to the great benefit of residents, employees, and visitors."

The proposals also include new flood defences along the northern boundary of the site, which will border the new open space and "green corridor" linking in with the wider footpath network.

A giant Amazon warehouse was approved at the former Littlebrook Power Station site earlier this year
A giant Amazon warehouse was approved at the former Littlebrook Power Station site earlier this year

Bericote says land to the west of the site will be utilised as a drainage basin, but also planted with additional landscaping to raise the biodiversity of the wider area - including "wet grassland planting species" and an area of native woodland.

It has not been confirmed which company is set to occupy the new site, where the former power station was demolished in 2019.

The neighbouring four-storey Amazon site will encompass 2.3 million square feet - equivalent to roughly 30 football pitches - and is due to open in August.

Not everyone is backing the scheme however, with some objectors fearing additional traffic generated by the site will compound existing congestion in the area.

"We're tired of all these warehouses coming here and creating unbearable traffic," said one, while another added: "Fully object to this. As a resident the traffic has become almost unbearable and causing a significant impact getting to and from work."

They also pointed to the impact of lorries during construction work on the approved units, as well as the noise of construction itself, adding: "Another build, more HGVs and traffic are turning this area into an industrial site more suited for commercial benefit without any consideration to the residents who are dealing with noise, pollution and traffic on a daily basis, which is continuing to get worse each day."

To see more public notices, visit www.kentonline.co.uk/advertise/public-notices/

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