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Manor Way Business Park

Swanscombe

Consultation

Introduction

We are pleased to present plans for the commercial redevelopment of Manor Way Business Park, Swanscombe.

The proposals relate to a number of plots within the Business Park which are in general industrial use by several different business types including car and truck storage, repair and sales businesses along with demolition and recycling businesses.

Our plans seek to modernise the Business Park and deliver a significant improvement in terms of the quality of the buildings, their associated servicing areas and landscaping and the resultant occupiers of the Business Park. The combined proposals provide a wide range of complimentary unit sizes catering for light incubator units to heavier commercial uses including providing suitable expansion facilities for businesses to grow into rather than having to leave the area if they get bigger.

A drop-in public consultation event was held on 15th May at the Church Road Hall, Swanscombe. Many thanks for all those who attended and provided comments.

The Site

The site comprises five plots within the Manor Way Business Park (MWBP) which occupies land north of the A226 in Swanscombe. The plots include industrial buildings and open yard spaces which are enclosed by boundary treatments. The site is bound by cliffs to the west and south and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link/High Speed 1 (HS1) railway line to the northeast.

The Business Park has historically suffered from blight and consequently has attracted lower value employment.

The site lies within the Borough of Dartford and within the Swanscombe Peninsula Major Development Site as identified in the Ebbsfleet Implementation Framework. The newly adopted Dartford Local Plan identifies the site for employment and regeneration.

Development Proposals

The design principles for the proposed redevelopment include:

Functional Flexibility

• ·Buildings are to be designed with flexible floor plans to accommodate a variety of business needs and allow for future growth and adaptations;
• The integration of modern technology and infrastructure, such as high-speed internet and modern utilities, to enhance operational efficiency for tenants.
• Incorporation of set electric vehicle charging points with the potential for all units to connect.
• Solar panels for low carbon footprint and cost efficiency.

Aesthetic Appeal

• Embrace modern architectural design principles that prioritise clean lines, contemporary materials, and visually appealing facades;
• Integrate sustainable and energy-efficient features into the building design, promoting a modern and environmentally conscious image.

Security and Safety

• Implement robust security measures, including advanced surveillance systems, access control systems, and overlooked common areas, to ensure the safety of tenants and their assets.
• Incorporate resilient and robust construction materials and design elements to provide a secure environment for business operations.

Landscaping and SuDS

• Enhance the overall environment by incorporating landscaping features to create a pleasant working atmosphere.
• Use Sustainable Drainage Systems where possible to reduce surface water run-off rates in a sustainable manner.
• Deliver biodiversity net gain.

Tenant Comfort and Wellbeing:

• Prioritise the well-being of tenants by providing comfortable workspaces with ample natural light and proper ventilation.
• Include safe, secure and convenient parking for both bicycle and car.

Overall, these design principles aim to create a modern industrial park that not only meets the functional needs of businesses but also provides an attractive, secure, and comfortable environment for tenants, promoting a thriving and sustainable business community.

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FAQs

Why is this consultation being undertaken?

The consultation is being undertaken to present our plans for the site to the public and to outline the many community benefits it will deliver. We are inviting comments from the public as part of the consultation so that these views can inform a planning application to be submitted later in 2024.

Why is the development needed?

The Business Park has suffered from blight for many years. The site has been allocated for development within local planning policy. We are proposing to deliver the allocation with a high-quality development that enhances the Business Park and its immediate setting to facilitate an improvement in the quality of businesses attracted to the area.

How will the local highway network cope with cars associated with the development?

The proposals have been informed by technical assessment work undertaken by Charles & Associates. The Transport Assessment demonstrates that the development will have an acceptable impact on the local highway network. Each unit will be provided with cycle storage provision and a Travel Plan will be provided which will encourage sustainable modes of transport to be utilised.

Are there any environmental constraints that must be overcome?

The site is relatively unconstrained from an environmental perspective. Surveys and assessment work has been undertaken with respect to ecology, drainage and ground conditions which all confirm that there are no in-principle constraints to the development of the site.

What are the benefits of the development?

• The proposed development addresses an identified need for modern, small to medium sized units for employment uses with a focus on functionality and high quality development in a secure setting.
• Support the creation of circa 200 direct jobs and a myriad of indirect jobs.
• Support the reversal of the current net-outward commuter trend so that the number of people who live and work in Dartford Borough are greater than those Dartford Borough residents who work outside the borough.
• Add to Dartford’s economic output thus improving the Gross Value Added per head and consequently contributing to an improved Indices of Multiple Deprivation ranking.
• Increasing the business rates return for the Borough.
• Making a significant contribution to Community Infrastructure Levy.
• Encouraging and supporting active travel with cleaner, greener travel choices.
• Delivery of green infrastructure with biodiversity benefits and surface water resilience.
• Development with climate change resilience at its heart.

What about traffic, noise and dust during construction?

The impact of construction activities will be factored into the planning process. The project team will prepare a Construction Management Plan in order to reduce the impact of construction on local businesses, residents and the environment.

When will the development start?

Planning permission and planning conditions need to be approved before the development can start. We anticipate that development will start on site in 2025 with units becoming available in 2026.

What are the next steps after this consultation?

The project team will review all comments received as part of the consultation to inform the planning application to be submitted to Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC) later in 2024.

Once the application is submitted, EDC will undertake a further consultation prior to them determining the application. Following the determination of the application, planning conditions will be discharged and construction work will commence.

Consultation Documents

You can view a copy of the Consultation Boards here.