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KCC works hard to secure contributions from developers for
infrastructure to support new housing development. This
 includes the highways and transportation,
schools, community facilities and social services facilities
needed to make the new developments successful places where
people enjoy living.
The county council ensures there is adequate investment to
support new development and relieve pressure on existing towns and
villages.
After the culmination of several years of complex negotiations
KCC has secured community infrastructure worth an estimated £109m
to support 6,250 new homes at Eastern Quarry in north Kent. This
area will be transformed into a new residential community set in a
series of 'villages'.
Homes will also benefit from new parks, lakes and woodland areas
and will be connected to Ebbsfleet, Bluewater, Dartford and
Gravesend by
Fastrack - a real alternative to the car for local
journeys.
Due to the scale, its inherent complexity and the long period of
delivery (over 20 years), an innovative approach to development
contributions and infrastructure provision has been adopted and the
mechanisms for control will be contained in a combination of the
Section 106 agreement, reviewable delivery strategies and planning
conditions.
The legal agreement was finally completed and the planning
permission released on 14 November 2007. The facilities are to be
joint use and multiagency where appropriate to ensure that the
wider aims and objectives of KCC service providers, not least in
respect of preventative services, are delivered on the ground hand
in hand with housing growth.
The culmination of this work ensures that a truly sustainable
new development is delivered for future generations whilst existing
communities are fully protected.
The Development Investment Team deals with planning policy,
countywide contributions and major development sites (over 500
units). There are over 20 major sites at various stages in the
development process across the county. Other recent examples
include Ashford Barracks housing development where approximately
£7m has been agreed and Westwood, Thanet where KCC has agreed
approximately £4.5m in development contributions for community
infrastructure.
KCC has recently published a revised
Development Contributions Guide which will help support future
negotiations. This aims to promote a consistent and transparent
approach across Kent towards the requirement for and the
calculation of development contributions for county council
provided services.
It will also help to quantify the likely level of contributions
required in respect of KCC services to meet the impact upon
existing community facilities resulting from development. This will
raise awareness at a very early stage of the potential requirements
to enable developers and landowners to take these matters into
account when formulating their proposals and
costs. |