Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

4.6.5 The Gravesend Town Centre Opportunity Area not only includes thecore of the town centre (sub-area 3.1) itself but adjoining areas that functiontogether with it.4.6.6 As noted above, the Gravesend Town Centre Opportunity Area benefitsfrom good public car parking provision and these are distributed around theOpportunity Area. Some of these car parks are short stay, used mainly byshoppers and visitors. Others are long stay, used by people who work in thearea and by those who commute by train to work. There are also car parksassociated with the retail stores to the west of the town centre. The overallprovision of public car parking in this area is currently being reviewed and theresults will inform the future provision and distribution strategy to ensure anappropriate level of long and short stay parking is maintained. This carparking strategy will also be informed by the need to: reduce the adversetownscape impact of open car parking; make more efficient use of the land;manage traffic flows; and improve air quality.4.6.7 The Council recognises the importance of the public realm and the builtenvironment in this Opportunity Area, particularly in the core of the towncentre (sub-area 3.1). Some areas would benefit from public realm andenvironmental enhancements, e.g. Milton Road as an eastern gateway to thetown, yards to the rear of Queen Street, areas to the rear of Harmer Street.Therefore, the Council will support environmental enhancements whereopportunities arise, especially when new development comes forward. This isin accordance with Policy CS19 on Development and Design Principles.4.6.8 This section sets out the approach that the Council will take towards thefuture development of the sub-areas comprised in this Opportunity Area. Itshould be read in conjunction with Policy CS08 on Retail, Leisure and theHierarchy of Centres. Also of relevance are Policies CS07 on Economy,Employment and Skills, and CS09 on Culture and Tourism.4.6.9 For the purposes of consistency, it should be noted that sub-area 3.1(Town Centre) under this policy coincides with the boundaries of the TownCentre under Policy CS08.87