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

elevating residential units above street level, as well as promoting a Travel Plan and installinginfrastructure for electric charging points. The reduction in traffic flows along West Street isalso considered to be of benefit. A ventilation system will be required to mitigate impacts onsome new apartments in Buildings W01 and W02 and those apartments directly above the carpark entrance off the Bath Street roundabout. The location of public car park barriers well insidethe entrance will help reduce the risk of congestion beneath the flats.Contaminated Land – The initial desk work undertaken covers the points raised in earlierstudies and potential areas and therefore offers no objection subject to imposition of a planningcondition requiring further intrusive investigations to fully inform any necessary remediation.GBC Housing Strategy and Development ManagerThe proposed deviation from standard affordable housing policy comprising an equal split acrossthe development of on-site provision (25no. shared ownership and 25no. ‘active elderly’ units) anda commuted sum is acceptable in principle, subject to further discussions with the applicantregarding the value of the commuted sum, calculated as £3,225,900 using the Council’s adoptedformula.GBC Conservation OfficerComment focusses on the impact the proposals will have on the setting of heritage assets,including listed buildings and conservation areas and takes the view that the applicant correctlyconcludes that the setting of Gravesend’s heritage assets located within and adjoining theproposals area will benefit from the replacement of the open car parks with the reinstatement ofthe urban form that they were once associated with. Further detail included in the ‘heritage’section.GBC Leisure ServicesIn general support the proposals for improvements to the existing facilities within the proposalsarea and appreciate the provision of additional open space in a town centre location would bedifficult. It is recognised however much of the new space created may only be classified asincidental public realm whilst comment on the new spaces identified by the applicant isprovided. It is highlighted that the scheme should contribute to formal off-site recreationalprovision and a list of some local leisure projects are highlighted to which enhancement andupgrading of existing facilities would benefit the new population.GBC Operational ServicesThe information contained in the submitted Servicing Plan appears acceptable, andencouragement given to the provision of facilities for recycling waste. Particularly interested inthe stone gabion features including who will be responsible for maintaining them. Considerationalso needs to be given to the maintenance/revenue requirements for the enhanced St AndrewsGardens, and query who will be responsible – assumes it will remain GBC.A little concerned with the number of trees being lost, but commendable that more trees arebeing replaced than felled - would seek confirmation that semi-mature trees to be planted canbe sourced. Encouragement is given to the retention of the group of Horse Chestnut trees inthe upper St Andrews Gardens and the two London Planes in West Street, all of which offergood amenity value.