The plans include new flats, restaurants and a hotel

by Thom Morris

It wasn't quick, and it wasn't easy, but Gravesend's £120million Heritage Quarter development has been approved last night.

It was 11pm before a decision was finally reached – and even then, chairman of the planning committee Cllr Jane Cribbon had to take the final casting vote.

The controversial proposals include new shops, 300 homes and it is hoped around 900 jobs will be created when work gets under way early next year.

They have been years in the making - with several previous planning bids thwarted and a high-profile campaign against them.

Speaking in favour of the application was Julia Lomax from the florist at the St George's centre.

She said: "There's a lot of talk about empty shops in parts of St George's and the reason for that is that people are not coming to the town because there’s nothing there to offer them.

"Gravesend is desperate for change and I speak to lots of people and there is a feeling that if something isn't done, retailers will fall under. Gravesend needs regeneration."

A computer-generated image of how the Heritage Quarter could look

But Liz Howe from Kings Drive in Gravesend argued: "I'm passionate about this town and I don’t want it ruined.

"This town has a lot of history and I want the council to listen to the people of Gravesend. It will be shameful if this development goes through.

"We do want regeneration but we don’t want this Edinburgh House development. It will be a fiasco.

"People will feel aggrieved and let down if this goes ahead. They don't care about the town. I do. You should be looking after the town."

Council leader John Burden spoke arguing that the buildings along West Street are already high, with the new ones set to be built being lower.

He then warned his fellow planning committee members: "I've heard nothing so far that would allow us to turn this application down. We need to do something to give people hope.

"There are no planning reasons to refuse it and this is a very dangerous and silly move."

The work would transform the face of Gravesend

Cllr Mick Wenban was far from impressed with the scheme.

He said: "People want regeneration. They just don't like this and I think that's apparent.

"I had real high hopes for Edinburgh House and we listened to what people would like to see and what they came back with would be something acceptable.

"I don't see that here. I can't accept this because of the design and height of the buildings. And the effect that will have is just going to be dreadful.

"Not one person has said to me ‘that’s a good idea Mick, let's go for it' – not one."

When it came to the vote John Burden, Lee Croxton and David Turner voted for it.

Mick Wenban, Harold Craske and Peter Rayner voted against it. Valerie Ashenden, Richard Smith and Robin Theobald abstained from the vote.

Speaking after the meeting, Edinburgh House managing director Tony Quayle said: "I'm thrilled. This was the right decision and we cannot wait to get the ball rolling.

"We have been confident that we have got the plans for Gravesend right for a long time and we are looking forward to the future and the opportunities the development holds for the whole town."

The first phase will see three buildings with 141 flats, restaurants, a 50-bedroom hotel and underground car parks built within nine months.

A new town square will be built over the car park next to the market off Queen Street.

Parking will be moved underground and flats will be built above what is likely be restaurants, such as Nando’s and Pizza Express.

This phase will see the closure of the Horn Yard and Market Square car parks with the loss of more than 200 parking spaces.

Nine months to a year after phase one starts, a detailed application for the second phase will be made which includes redesigned grounds for St George’s Church, a church hall fronting West Street, and the St George’s Shopping Centre enlarged.

For a full report of the meeting, reaction, and what happens next, see tomorrow's Gravesend Messenger.