Whitehill Road, Gravesend

Location and Description

The site lies within the urban area of Gravesend, in the Borough of Gravesham, and extends to 0.91 hectares (2.25 acres). It is broadly level and rectangular, with established residential development surrounding it, including Hollybush Road to the north, Arnold Road and Lamorna Avenue to the east, and Porchfield Close and Turner House to the south.

Access and Connectivity

Vehicular access is via a private drive from Whitehill Road to the west. KCC Highways has confirmed that a 4.8m carriageway with a 1.8m footway is acceptable. An adjoining parcel of amenity land owned by GCHA is included in the disposal to provide visibility splays at the access junction.

The nearest bus stop, on Lamorna Avenue, provides services to Gravesend town centre and railway station in approximately 5–10 minutes. The station is also approximately seven minutes away by car and offers high-speed services to London St Pancras in around 23 minutes.

Allocation and Planning History

The site is proposed for allocation under Policy LP5d of the emerging Gravesham Local Plan 2042, with an indicative capacity of 40 dwellings. Regulation 19 consultation commenced on 17 April 2026, with submission to the Planning Inspectorate anticipated later in 2026. The proposed allocation sets out key development principles, with further information available in the data room.

An application for 28 dwellings for a housing association was submitted in November 2005 and subsequently withdrawn.

Pre-Application Advice

Pre-application advice issued in September 2022 supported the principle of 40 affordable homes, reflecting the site’s sustainable urban location and the Council’s lack of a five-year housing land supply. The principal outstanding issue is the loss of the playing field, to which Sport England objected. The requirement for suitable vehicular access has since been resolved.

Local Planning Context

Gravesham’s Five-Year Land Supply Statement, published in July 2026, identifies a housing land supply of 2.53 years. Combined with a Housing Delivery Test result of 61% and an outdated local plan, this engages the presumption in favour of sustainable development.

Affordable Housing

Policy CS16 of the adopted Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy (2014) requires 30% affordable housing on urban sites accommodating 15 or more dwellings or measuring at least 0.5 hectares. The required tenure mix is 70% affordable and social rented housing and 30% intermediate housing.

Policy LP12 of the emerging Local Plan retains the 30% urban requirement but extends it to all major developments of 10 or more dwellings or sites measuring at least 0.5 hectares.

Planning Constraints

The site is not affected by flood risk, conservation area, listed building or Green Belt constraints.