Land between West Street, Bath Street, Royal Pier Road and Queen ...

provision of a high quality mixed-use development in place of the existing open car parking whichseparate the town from the river and form an unattractive setting for St George’s Church.In planning policy terms there is clear national and emerging local support for the over-ridingmixed-use development approach proposed through this application. Furthermore, independentretail advice is that large modern retail units are required to halt the current economic decline ofGravesend Town Centre by attracting major retailers that will complement rather than competewith the existing small and independent traders.Whilst the principle is acceptable, it is however also necessary to consider the merits of theapplication in detail including the impacts of the proposal upon existing residents, the character ofthe area and its heritage assets, environmental constraints and the highway network, as well asthe quality of the new development in respect of building design and appearance, provisions fornew and existing residents and visitors and meeting current sustainability objectives.The broad design approach to the development is generally considered to be appropriate andacceptable in respect of its overall scale and massing and the creation of new and improvedpedestrian connections to the river and across the High Street. The scheme will also enhance thequality of existing open spaces and create better public realm and in particular this will improve thesetting of St George’s Church and create an integrated extension to the existing shopping centre.The provision of a variety of public uses and high quality public realm, coupled with a significantquantum of residential apartments, will ensure the new areas are alive with activity to improve theirattractiveness, functionality and sense of security.This application has received an unprecedented amount of local representation, with a mix ofopinions. Whilst the scheme will have an impact upon the living conditions of some existingresidents in the adjoining apartment blocks along West Street and Queen Street (summary tofollow in supplementary report) and the height of the Bath Street building (Building W03) continuesto raise concern, a positive recent change has been the improvement of the residential units toensure the room sizes accord with the adopted local standard. It is considered that the currentscheme, due to changes incorporated by the applicant, has advanced positively from thepreviously refused scheme.The NPPF states that “significant weight” should be afforded to the need to support economicgrowth and so the provision of substantial new retail space and the generation of significantemployment opportunities as part of the present application proposals are immediately recognisedas key benefits. The combination of new and enhanced public spaces, increased activity andnatural surveillance, and a balanced mix of uses will also stimulate the local economy andcontribute to providing a more welcoming and attractive environment to people visiting and living inthe town centre, which should be afforded significant weight in determining this application.These benefits are considered to outweigh the negative impacts referred to above, and it is theview of officers that the application provides an exciting and much needed opportunity forinvestment in, and regeneration of, Gravesend Town Centre.RECOMMENDATION:To be provided in the supplementary report.APPENDICESAppendix 1 – List of supporting documents and plansAppendix 2 - Full consultation responsesAppendix 3 - Summary of local representationsAppendix 4 - Extracts from EHEL’s heritage statement