The Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC) has appointed Dr David Prout as the new chair to lead the regeneration initiative in Kent, aiming to deliver 15,000 new homes, alongside schools, parks, health facilities, and a commercial center.

Announced by Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook on 1 September 2025, the project also includes the reappointment of Valerie Owen OBE and Simon Blanchflower to the EDC board. The initiative aims to deliver the first garden city in a century in Kent, featuring up to 15,000 new homes, new schools, parks, health facilities, and a civic and commercial center. The EDC, as the planning authority, has already completed 5,000 homes, three primary schools, two community buildings, parks, public transport links, shops, a pub, coffee shops, and a restaurant, with further development ongoing. Dr Prout, previously Pro-Vice Chancellor at Oxford University and Director General for High Speed 2, will leverage his expertise in strategic planning and infrastructure to accelerate the project. Valerie Owen contributes placemaking and design expertise, while Simon Blanchflower brings civil engineering and project management skills to support the EDC’s vision.