§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what proposals he has for a new town at Ebbsfleet; and if he will make a statement. [14041]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe regional planning guidance for the Thames gateway—the Thames gateway planning framework, RPG9a—identifies Kent Thames-side, including the Ebbsfleet valley, and Stratford and the royal docks in east London, as the two main locations within the area where substantial growth can be expected. It is for the market to respond to these development opportunities. I understand that an application for outline planning permission for a mixed housing and commercial development on a 176 hectare—435 acre—site adjoining the proposed Ebbsfleet international and domestic channel tunnel rail link station has recently been submitted jointly to Dartford and Gravesham borough councils.