Proposed decision:
The Cabinet Member for Highways & Transport is asked to give approval to accept the capital grant from Ebbsfleet Development Company (EDC) and to take the EDC Landscaping scheme through the stages of development and delivery specifically for:
1. Approval to enter into a funding agreement with EDC subject to the approval of the Corporate Director of Finance, Corporate & Strategic Services;
2. Approval to progress the detailed design and surveys for the project.
3. Approval to progress all statutory approvals or consents required for the schemes;
4. Approval to carry out any additional consultation with stakeholders required for the schemes;
5. Approval to enter construction contracts as necessary for the delivery of the schemes;
6. Approval for any further decisions required to allow the scheme to progress through to delivery to be undertaken by the Corporate Director of Growth Environment and Transport under the Officer Scheme of Delegations following prior consultation with the Cabinet Member.
Reason for the decision
KCC Landscaping are working with Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC) to enhance the habitat and planting at highway verge and roundabout sites across Ebbsfleet Garden City. The scheme is fully funded by Ebbsfleet Development Corporation with Kent County Council (KCC) acting as the delivery arm for the project.
The scheme requires a Key Decision due to meeting the following decision criteria.
- Savings or expenditure of more than £1m: Whilst the scheme is fully externally funded the full cost exceeds £1m.
- Affects two or more Electoral Divisions: The Ebbsfleet area is situated across the boundaries of both Dartford and Gravesham.
Background
The scheme aims to demonstrate Kent County Council's (KCC) and Ebbsfleet Development Corporation's (EDC) commitment to high quality, sustainable placemaking across Ebbsfleet Garden City. The project proposes to deliver an exemplar approach to design and maintenance of green infrastructure and the creation of ecological value at key gateways into the Garden City, to include roundabouts, verges and along primary road environments. The project is championed and funded by Ebbsfleet Development Corporation but will be delivered in partnership with KCC, with KCC leading the delivery of the landscaping improvements on highway land to ensure that the proposals are to adoptable standard.
Options (other options considered but discarded)
EDC has considered a number of site options for the sites to be investigated as part of the landscaping programme. The long list of sites comprised several off-highway and developer sites, which are not being delivered by KCC. This list was reduced to a shortlist by removing all sites which are expected to come forward through developers or Ebbsfleet will directly deliver.
Various scheme options for each site will be developed through further design work.
How the proposed decision supports Framing Kent’s Future 2022-2026: (https://www.kent.gov.uk/about-the-council/strategies-and-policies/corporate-policies/our-council-strategy)
The EDC Landscaping scheme fully supports the priorities of Framing Kent’s Future, namely Environmental step change and providing infrastructure for communities. The scheme will improve access for our residents to green and natural environmental in urban areas and works with partners to deliver quality biodiversity Net Gain across Ebbsfleet. This further supports continuing work to establish new trees across the county to deliver Plan Tree’s ambitions of 1.5 million trees and a 19% canopy cover over the next ten years to support the recovery of wildlife, provide nature-based climate solutions, and enrich people’s lives.
How the proposed decision supports Securing Kent’s Future: Securing Kents Future - Budget Recovery Strategy.pdf
This decision will be taken with Securing Kent’s Future in mind. This scheme is championed by EDC. The funding for the scheme will be provided by EDC. KCC is not providing any capital funding to deliver the scheme. This will also cover the resource associated with this project. The terms and conditions of the proposed grant agreement will be subject to financial scrutiny and be aimed to protect the financial interests of KCC.
KCC, as the highway authority, has control over the landscape asset. As such, through acting as the delivery arm for EDC, KCC have ensured there will be no ongoing financial burden to KCC through the maintenance of these sites. All maintenance costs will be included within the existing landscaping maintenance budgets.
Decision type: Key
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Notice of proposed decision first published: 07/07/2025
Decision due: Not before 5th Aug 2025 by Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport
Reason: To allow 28 day notice period required under Executive Decision regulations
Lead director: Haroona Chughtai
Department: Growth, Environment & Transport
Contact: Robin Hadley, Soft Landscape Asset Manager? Email: robin.hadley@kent.gov.uk Email: robin.hadley@kent.gov.uk.
Consultees
The proposed decision was considered and endorsed by the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 17th July 2025
Financial implications: The scheme will be fully funded through a grant from Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC). Subject to the grant agreement terms, this project should come at no revenue or capital cost to KCC and all expenditure (staffing, construction costs, surveys, overheads) will be funded from the grant. Discussions are ongoing in terms of the purpose of the grant, the terms and conditions as well as eligible expenditure. Full details of the grant are to be established through the ongoing discussions however, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation is providing KCC with a grant of up to £1.73m between 2025/26 and 2026/27 to deliver the scheme. The project estimate includes sufficient risk allowance. Previous work on the scheme has been covered under a prior feasibility grant. All maintenance costs will be included within the existing landscaping maintenance budgets and there will be no additional financial burden to KCC.
Legal implications: KCC intend to enter into a funding agreement with Ebbsfleet Development Corporation detailing the conditions of the grant funding. Full legal and KCC financial oversight of the proposed agreement will be undertaken prior to the recommendation to sign. No further legal implications have been identified.
Equalities implications: Equalities implications: An initial Equalities Impact Assessment has been carried out for the scheme. This identified no long-term adverse impacts or discrimination against any person with a protected characteristic. This will be continually reviewed throughout the project. Data Protection implications: A DPIA is not required for this project.