Boroughs | Bexley

• The north of the borough contains two Opportunity Areas at Bexley Riverside (including Greater Erith) and Thamesmead & Abbey Wood and one Housing Zone
• Around 9% of the borough is either designated employment land or town centre
• 18% of the borough is Green Belt
• Bexley has five large town centres, Bexleyheath, Crayford, Erith, Sidcup and Welling and an emerging new District Centre at Lower Belvedere.
• In the north of the borough is the Engine House Bexley which provides over 4600 sq. metres of co-working, office and workshop space – aimed at early stage and growing businesses
• There were 8,855 active enterprises in the borough, 92% of which have fewer than 10 employees.
• Over 82% of Bexley’s residents are economically active, and just under 78% of working age residents are in employment.
• 37% of working age residents have an NVQ level 4 or higher (degree level or above), and rising numbers of students from Bexley schools are going into higher education
• The borough is served by three rail lines providing Southeastern services into central London and out into Kent. It is also served by Thameslink via the North Kent Line whilst the Elizabeth Line terminates at Abbey Wood and is one of the busiest Crossrail stations in outer London. Example journey times from Abbey Wood Elizabeth Line station: To Canary Wharf – 11 mins; Liverpool Street – 18 mins; Paddington – 29 mins.
• North Bexley has one of the largest areas of industrial land in the capital and a significant river frontage with a number of safeguarded wharves and the longest publicly accessible pier in London at Erith.

   

Brian Smith, Head of Economic Development and Skills

Brian.Smith@bexley.gov.uk

“Bexley is a thriving borough that has the best of both worlds – close to the centre of London but it is still a green, safe and friendly place to be.
With our riverside locations, strong community spirit and parks and woodland areas, the Borough is a popular place to put down roots and for new businesses to flourish. We have always been a Borough envied for our schools and are recognised as one of the safest and greenest places in London with huge potential for growth.
Our mission is to make Bexley even better.

We are ambitious for our borough – we want to secure investment so that current and future generations continue to live and work in a prosperous place. New housing developments are sweeping away old housing estates and replacing them with good quality, modern homes. Commercial investment in our towns and employment areas is creating new jobs and improved local facilities. The arrival of the Elizabeth line in the north of the Borough opens more exciting opportunities, but our ambitions for Bexley go further, and as a leading member of the Thames Estuary Growth Board, we are lobbying for the service to be extended to Ebbsfleet in Kent connecting Bexley, Dartford, Gravesham and coastal East Kent.
We continue to invest in our borough’s future and would welcome conversations with investors who share our vision for growth in our unique corner of London.”

• Growth Strategy: the council has adopted a Growth Strategy, which is a propositional document setting out the boroughs potential to provide up to 31,500 new homes and 17,500 new jobs to 2050 should appropriate infrastructure be secured.  The Strategic Vision states that Bexley will play a key part in helping London grow sustainably, whilst respecting the borough’s overall character and identity. New and existing communities will be strong, sustainable, cohesive and prosperous. A well-connected borough, both within and beyond Bexley, provides the key to securing growth opportunities for residents and businesses. People across the borough will have a better quality of life and improved wellbeing, supported by high quality housing, rewarding employment opportunities and effective local services and facilities.
  
  Good growth will be secured by focussing new residential development on a series of well-connected public transport nodes, making the most of Bexley’s riverside location and industrial heritage. Core industrial areas retained for employment uses will be improved and intensified, fostering the growing movement of artisans and other manufacturers. The borough’s valued suburban heartland and quality open spaces will be preserved and enhanced. Shopping, culture and leisure facilities will be vibrant, supported by innovative industries and businesses.

  The principles of the growth Strategy have been carried through to the Bexley Local Plan which sets out how good growth will be delivered to 2036.

• Bexley Town Centre Strategy: sets out how Bexley’s town centres can continue to successfully meet the needs of local people, visitors and businesses. It is focused on the five larger town centres: Bexleyheath, Crayford, Erith, Sidcup and Welling.