Areas of Kent

Major changes and developments are taking place in several areas of Kent. The county has two growth areas, supported by additional funding from the Communities and Local Government - Thames Gateway and Ashford. East Kent is also enjoying significant regeneration and development.

Thames Gateway

The Kent part of Thames Gateway is made up of three development areas – Thameside (Dartford and Gravesend), Medway and Swale. The area will accommodate 45,000 new homes, 58,000 new jobs and 2 ½ million sqm of commercial floorspace in new communities and riverside developments by 2021. Infrastructure improvements are well underway and high speed rail services are now available from Ebbsfleet International Station at the heart of the area, as well as from Ashford. From 2009 faster rail services will be available to London from Ebbsfleet International Station as well as from many other Kent stations.

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Kent Thameside

Kent Thameside is at the hub of economic growth. It is one of the fastest growing areas in the UK covering the boroughs of Dartford and Gravesham and the Ebbsfleet Valley. The area is benefiting from a £2 billion investment developing successful, sustainable communities - 50,000 new jobs and 25,000 new homes are planned over the coming years. With nine miles of riverfront and green, open space equivalent to 14 Hyde Parks, Kent Thameside is also home to Bluewater, Europe's largest retail and leisure destination, and Ebbsfleet International Station. Already connected to continental Europe in less than two hours from Ebbsfleet International via Eurostar, it now has a journey time of just 17 minutes from Central London by high speed rail train, plus an award-winning bus rapid transport system, Fastrack.

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For full details of investment opportunities in Kent Thameside, click here.

Ashford

Ashford will also grow substantially with 31,000 new homes, 28,000 new jobs, and substantial areas of new commercial floorspace by 2031. A new retail area, 'learning campus' and community and leisure facilities including an extended Stour Centre will also be provided. This will ensure Ashford can exploit its unique geographic location with high-speed train links to the continent and, from 2009, to London.

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East Kent

Regeneration and new development is well under way in East Kent. Margate, Dover and Aylesham are all undergoing transformational regeneration and Canterbury is building on its three strong universities. New retail provision has recently been made or is underway in Westwood near Margate, Canterbury and Folkestone. Kent International Airport and the commercial development which is likely to occur around the airport will play a major role in regeneration in Thanet.

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West Kent

West Kent comprises the three district council areas of Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Malling and Tunbridge Wells. The area has a thriving business culture and the number of businesses in West Kent’s growing economy has increased by over 1,000 since 2000, with particular strong growth in the business services sector. Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks have been highlighted amongst the most competitive District locations for businesses in Kent. Tonbridge and Malling, with the attractive Kings Hill development, has seen the largest growth in new business operations with a 13% increase in business stock since 2000.

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