Proposed Submission: Gravesham Local Plan Core Strategy

there is a steep cliff face between Asda and The Overcliffe but an escalatorprovides a pedestrian link between the two. To the south east of Thames Wayis the Wickes DIY store which sits at a higher level from it. Wickes isaccessed from Stuart Road and this road also includes a number ofresidential properties. The number of large retail stores in this sub-areameans that large areas are used for associated car parking. To the east ofStuart Road lies the redundant M block, part of the former hospital on the site.There is also a small area of residential properties to the south of TheOvercliffe.4.6.29 There are opportunities to make more efficient use of under-used sitesin this sub-area which would also improve townscape character, e.g. theredevelopment of the Wickes site. There are also opportunities to improvelinks between Asda/Imperial Retail Park and the town centre, e.g. theprovision of further decked parking at Asda could create a link to TheOvercliffe. The Council will support such proposals. It is likely that the M Blocksite will be redeveloped for residential use during the plan period and thisshould include active uses on the ground floor to help create a morepedestrian friendly route to Imperial Retail Park. The existing residential areasare likely to remain over the plan period.South of Town Centre (sub-area 3.3)4.6.30 There are a number of larger scale office buildings located in this subarea.The former Police Station on Windmill Street is vacant. The Councilconsiders that this site is suitable for a range of town centre uses including asignificant component of residential development. Active commercial usesshould occupy the ground floor to complement The Woodville to the north andexisting business uses on the east side of Windmill Street. The site currentlyhas an outstanding planning permission for redevelopment to provideresidential uses on the upper floors and shops / financial and professionalservices / business / non-residential institutions (use classes A1/A2/B1/D1) onthe ground floor. Cygnet House is also vacant, and its planning permission forconversion to a hotel has now expired. The Council would also support theprovision of replacement offices on this site. Given that it is an unsympathetic93