New regeneration scheme would change the face of Gravesend
08:52, 15 January 2020
updated: 09:52, 15 January 2020
New plans for regenerating Gravesend could bring more homes, office space, a cinema, hotel and restaurants to the town centre.
Consultation is set to begin on revised plans for what was formerly known as the Gravesend Heritage Quarter project, with developers Reef working closely with Gravesham council on development sites.
The long-awaited project was first proposed 15-years-ago, but met repeated stumbling blocks until the £160 million project was bought from Edinburgh House in 2018 by Reef, which then began work on the St George's Centre the following year.
Reef will host two consultation events - to be held in Unit 14, in St George’s Shopping Centre, on Thursday, January 23, from noon to 4pm and on Saturday, January 25, from 10am to 1pm - before submitting a planning application.
Members of the public can drop in at any time during these times and members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions.
The project focuses on three key areas, starting with Phase 1 of Reef’s application for upgrades and refurbishments to the St George's Centre, which was was approved in December 2018 and has seen work begin on new signage, branding, street furniture and shop-front improvements, creating a more accessible and user-friendly shopping centre.
The second key area will be Market Square and Horn Yard, formerly referred to as the ‘Eastern Quarter’, which will see the redevelopment of these town centre car parks to bring new homes based on the affordable "Build-to-Rent model", as well as public and private car parking.
Finally, St George’s Phase 2 – formerly known as the ‘Western Quarter’ – will focus on the area around St George’s Church and will bring new homes, office accommodation, a cinema, a hotel, restaurants and community space.
Reef Group has been working with Gravesham council since spring 2018 on the plans, aiming to bring new life and activity to the town centre and focussing on "heritage assets" such as the riverside and St George’s Church.
New computer generated images show how the new residential development is taking shape, and Reef says it has been made in consideration with Gravesend’s history, infrastructure and architecture.
If planning is approved the company hopes to be on site later this year to start work.
Design director Phil Duckworth said: “Reef are committed to regenerating Gravesend town centre to the highest quality and are pleased with the new plans that enhance Gravesend’s great heritage and local assets.
"We have engaged with a range of stakeholders and local groups that have fed into our proposals and we look forward to showcasing them to the public before submitting our next planning application.”
Council leader Cllr John Burden (Lab) said: “The regeneration of the Heritage Quarter is the most important development of the town centre for many years and it is important we get it right. We are encouraged these proposals are progressing after previous delays in bringing plans to the table.
“Once an application is submitted, it will be scrutinised in detail to ensure it meets all relevant planning policies before any decision is reached.
“It is vital that local people and businesses take part in that process – this is the future of their town under discussion.
“As such I would urge as many as possible to attend one of these consultation events and leave their views on the proposals being presented.”
To find out more information about the scheme and the upcoming consultation events visit: www.gravesend-town-centre-regen.com
