Paving Materials
Colour Palette
Cast Paving Units
The cast paving units will be limited to three colours which are derived from the site colour palette and reference the local geology;
a light chalky coloured base with flint coloured aggregate.
a mid grey base with both light chalky coloured and darker flint aggregates.
a dark coloured base with chalky coloured aggregate.
Application
The palette will be used throughout the character areas. In general the light toned units will be used for the footpaths and pedestrian only areas. The mid and darker toned units will be used for trafficked areas and accent paving.
A range of unit sizes will be required for each colour which is discussed in more detail later in this chapter.
Natural Stone Paving Materials
Natural stone paving may be used in key public spaces and streets across the site. The stones selected should:
be robust and durable- tested to BS EN 1341:2001
be available from either the UK or Europe to reduce the carbon emissions generated from freighting products long distances
reference local context
reference the site colour palette
A choice of three stones have been included in the paving palette for the site giving designers of key spaces flexibility in their selection
Sandstone / York stones
Limestone
Light grey Granite
Streets, Squares and Parks
Paving material selection should assist in establishing a cohesive and legible public realm. A degree of variation is desirable and will ensure local visual interest and richness without detracting from the unified approach. Paving materials should be selected to:
Reflect the street hierarchy in both level of investment and scale of module.
Reflect the appropriate landscape character area within the Garden City.
Provide a sustainable approach through the material selection and design.
STREETS & SQUARES Parks only
The diagram above illustrates the graduation of paving scale that could be used for the footpath treatments.
Graduation of scale reflects street hierarchy.
Investment Hierarchy
Investment should be focused on the Ebbsfleet Centre, Level 1 Streets, and ket public spaces such as the village centres and public squares. Materials also need to be assessed against their visual performance over time. Natural stone may have a high initial cost, but due to its longevity, can in some locations be a better long-term investment and improves in appearance with age as it develops a patina.
Where budgets are limited it may be possible to use natural stone for elements such as the kerb with cost effective man made materials used elsewhere.
In the secondary and tertiary spaces and streets cost effective materials such as high quality concrete paves or blocks can be used effectively. Resin bound gravel is appropriate for footpaths within parks.
Resin Bound Aggregate
It is envisaged that bound gravel with aluminium or concrete edging will be used for footpaths in the local parks. Bound gravel is available in many aggregate finishes and provides a softer more informal appearance. Permeable bound aggregate is available for use around tree pits in paved areas.
Paving flags and blocks may be used for social seating areas and primary pathways.
Asphalt
Vehicular carriageways for levels 1, 2, and 3 of streets will be primarily asphalt. Concrete block paving or natural stone on levels 1,2, and 3 streets may be used for raised junctions and crossings as per the design guidance in chapter 4. Level 4 streets are to be designed as shared spaces with only concrete block paving.
Cycle paths should be clearly defined, surfaced with natural coloured asphalt e.g. buff coloured or silver-grey coloured.
Wide Kerbs
Wide conservation kerbs will be used for Level 1 Fastrack/Primary streets (5).
Natural stone kerbs could be used in the Ebbsfleet centre and local centres (6).
Size: 255 wide x 205 x 914mm square edge.
Narrow kerbs
Narrow conservation kerbs will be used for residential streets (7).
Natural stone kerbs could be used in the smaller streets of Ebbsfleet Centre (8).
Size: 145 wide x 255 x 914mm square edge.
