A first-look at plans for a new city centre as part of a garden city development in Kent have been revealed.

The designs for the landmark project at Ebbsfleet Garden City focussing around the railway station were announced today.

Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC) is now launching a public consultation on the masterplan which will include some 2,100 homes and more than 110,000sq m of commercial, retail and community spaces.

The facilities will include shops, restaurants, bars, health facilities and workspaces on undeveloped land around Ebbsfleet International Station.

The proposals for the new centre – known as Ebbsfleet Central East – are expected to be submitted for planning permission in 2022 and have been published to allow people to have their say until January 14 through several face-to-face and virtually-held consultation sessions.

EDC says it wants to create high quality and flexible workspace and develop a "dynamic and innovative" business district in the new city centre driven from working pattern changes which have emerged during the pandemic.

The city centre will also create restaurants, shops, arts, film and music venues which EDC says will aim to create a "vibrant place for garden city residents and workers to enjoy".

The housing element of the masterplan – designed by world-leading designers Weston Williamson & Partners and Allies & Morrison – is aiming to be a carbon zero development which is set around the state-of-the-art public spaces, streets and green squares key to the plan.

Ian Piper, chief executive of EDC, said: “These are the most important plans the corporation has come forward with so far, and we want to hear from as many people as possible.

"We are providing an online platform for everyone to look at the plans and provide their feedback, and we are holding events in a number of venues around the local area so that the public can talk to the team, see the plans and have their say on this exciting opportunity to create a vibrant heart to Ebbsfleet Garden City.”

The plans will see up to 100,000sq m of office floorspace including large office buildings and smaller units.

These will be complemented by 10,000sq m of retail facilities such as supermarkets, restaurants, bars and cafes and other shops and a further 3,100sq m of community-use floorspace.

A health and wellbeing hub and community diagnostic centre providing GP healthcare and other community health and wellbeing facilities are also proposed.

The first public event for people to have their input before a planning application is submitted is taking place later this month.

It will be held at St Peter & St Paul Church Centre, Swanscombe from 2pm-6pm on Monday, November 29.

The remaining events will be held on: Saturday, December 4 from 10am-1pm at The Observatory, Castle Hill, Ebbsfleet; Tuesday, December 7 from 4pm-8pm at Eastgate, Springhead Park, Ebbsfleet; Wednesday, December 8 from 9am-1pm at The Traders Club, Northfleet.

Virtual events will take place on Thursday, November 25 from 2pm-2.45pm, Wednesday, December 1 from 10am-10.45am, Wednesday, December 8 from 6pm-6.45pm and Tuesday, December 14 from 12.15pm-1pm.

All consultation documents and registration to join the virtual consultations can be viewed by clicking here, with plans also available to view at the public exhibitions in person. ebbsfleetcentral.commonplace.is

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