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Debate over 32-storey tower due to take place
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| An artist's impression of the tower planned for the £150m regeneration project |
CONTROVERSIAL plans for a regeneration project have split residents - News Shopper heard both sides of the argument before an official debate.
Three groups have been given permission to put their points across about a 32-storey tower which is part of a £150m project which would be built within the heart of Gravesend's Heritage Quarter.
The debate is due to take place on Ocotber 7 at a Gravesham Council meeting at the Civic Centre in Windmill Street, Gravesend.
Gravesham Labour Party and civic society, Urban Gravesham, are both against the plans, while Yes to Gravesend is due to put their points across in favour of them.
Yes to Gravesend is made up of 10 people who run businesses within Gravesend.
Spokesman Philip Hales said the main points the group was due to raise was how they believe the development will bring future economic benefit to the town.
Mr Hales said: "Over the next 10 to 15 years Gravesham will be competing with Ebbsfleet and if this project doesn't go ahead then we don't know when the next opportunity will come."
The owner of True Hairdressing based in Gravesend's High Street, added: "I love the idea of the tower because it would all be built on space which isn't being used very efficiently at the moment and it's modern and a contrast to what already exists."
Developer Edinburgh House Estates Ltd is also proposing to build walkways leading to the river, underground car parks, a new town square, a hotel, restaurants and offices.
The plans consist of 120,000sq ft of retail space and 30,000sq ft of leisure and office space and the developer says the scheme will create around 1,000 jobs.
Urban Gravesham is made up of a group of residents who are against the project.
Group spokesman Martin Mckay, said among the points the group would be raising were the number of jobs the project would create and the size of the flats.
The resident of East Terrace also said the group was due to present a petition signed by around 5,000 people.
The 46-year-old said: "It is a vast tower and totally destructive of the cultural character of the town and in economic terms we think people will hate it."
Subject to planning approval, work is expected to start early next year and the whole scheme should be complete by 2013.
5:00pm Friday 3rd October 2008
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CommentPosted by: doc, gravesend on 6:04pm Fri 3 Oct 08
This tower will be good for gravesend.
I wish these peopole would stop moaning about this tower and do something useful with there time on saturday, like demonstrating about the homeless or something like that.
If these members of the human race worrie about a tower that will bring jobs and add an extra view to the town, I would say they are selfess.
it is all about what they want.
This tower will be good for gravesend.
I wish these peopole would stop moaning about this tower and do something useful with there time on saturday, like demonstrating about the homeless or something like that.
If these members of the human race worrie about a tower that will bring jobs and add an extra view to the town, I would say they are selfess.
it is all about what they want.
Posted by: doc, gravesend on 6:14pm Fri 3 Oct 08
O! I FOR GOT TO SAY IF THESE LOT HAD THERE WAY WE WOULD STILL BE LIVING IN CAVES.
O! I FOR GOT TO SAY IF THESE LOT HAD THERE WAY WE WOULD STILL BE LIVING IN CAVES.
Posted by: Sir Paul, london on 6:17pm Fri 3 Oct 08
Well said doc! spoking like a gentalman
Well said doc! spoking like a gentalman
Posted by: Beermonster, Richmond on 6:21pm Fri 3 Oct 08
hear hear. We have them do gooders were we live to.
Doc for MP
hear hear. We have them do gooders were we live to.
Doc for MP
Posted by: Martin, Datrford on 6:24pm Fri 3 Oct 08
I hate to say this but I agree with them.
I hate to say this but I agree with them.
Posted by: Rob, Gravesend on 6:22am Sat 4 Oct 08
This development will make things worse for the homeless. It will drive property prices up.There are plenty of new flats built now in the area,empty.Regenerat
ion, so far has done nothing to enhance the town.More and more businesses are closing down. Just look at the High Street, recently re generated.Jobs will only be created for outside workers, during the build.Once the Tower is complete, maybe a couple will remain.
This development will make things worse for the homeless. It will drive property prices up.There are plenty of new flats built now in the area,empty.Regenerat
ion, so far has done nothing to enhance the town.More and more businesses are closing down. Just look at the High Street, recently re generated.Jobs will only be created for outside workers, during the build.Once the Tower is complete, maybe a couple will remain.
Posted by: Ian, Gravesend ( Heritage quarter) on 8:11am Sat 4 Oct 08
The owner of 'True hairdressing' would like the idea because the 'space' isn't being used efficiently?
IT IS a green space, one of the few left.
The owner of this shop has only probably been here for a few years.Do they live in the town centre?If they do, then comment on what local residents would like. I mean local, having lived in the town centre for over twenty plus years.
The owner of 'True hairdressing' would like the idea because the 'space' isn't being used efficiently?
IT IS a green space, one of the few left.
The owner of this shop has only probably been here for a few years.Do they live in the town centre?If they do, then comment on what local residents would like. I mean local, having lived in the town centre for over twenty plus years.
Posted by: South East, South East on 8:20am Sat 4 Oct 08
I am with Doc on this one. Gravesend needs regeneration and the tower will bring jobs to the area . When finished will great views of the town. We are also in a recession and need the jobs!!
I am with Doc on this one. Gravesend needs regeneration and the tower will bring jobs to the area . When finished will great views of the town. We are also in a recession and need the jobs!!
Posted by: doc, gravesend on 8:33am Sat 4 Oct 08
I do`s not matter how long you have live in the town centre but how long you are going to live there.
Plus it also matters about the vistors, who spend there hard earn cash which keep the locals in work.
by local I mine anyone who works or lives in the town.
As for rob and his out side workers, lets but a boarder arould gravesend and not let anyone who was not born in gravesend. The town would then be empty. how many times have you work out side off gravesend Rob? Or are you one of these sad people who has never left the town and you Ian get out about to see the world and you would then be happy to see the tower.
I do`s not matter how long you have live in the town centre but how long you are going to live there.
Plus it also matters about the vistors, who spend there hard earn cash which keep the locals in work.
by local I mine anyone who works or lives in the town.
As for rob and his out side workers, lets but a boarder arould gravesend and not let anyone who was not born in gravesend. The town would then be empty. how many times have you work out side off gravesend Rob? Or are you one of these sad people who has never left the town and you Ian get out about to see the world and you would then be happy to see the tower.
Posted by: Mark, Dartford on 8:35am Sat 4 Oct 08
Just my 2 cents worth.
Why don't they regenerate what is there? What is the point of this Tower, when the outer areas of the town need improvement.Having lived in Gravesend before,I know that Queen street, Harmer Street need money invested in.Why not do that?Yes,if there was a better shopping centre, all for that, but a tower of apartments.I can't see them wanting to shop in Gravesend anyway!Will these be for sale or rent?
you could put Harrods in Gravesend, but it won't change the area ( or some of the people)!
Just my 2 cents worth.
Why don't they regenerate what is there? What is the point of this Tower, when the outer areas of the town need improvement.Having lived in Gravesend before,I know that Queen street, Harmer Street need money invested in.Why not do that?Yes,if there was a better shopping centre, all for that, but a tower of apartments.I can't see them wanting to shop in Gravesend anyway!Will these be for sale or rent?
you could put Harrods in Gravesend, but it won't change the area ( or some of the people)!
Posted by: doc, gravesend on 8:42am Sat 4 Oct 08
Bulid the tower and poor Ian, might at last leave the town and see how many towers are in the world.
Bulid the tower and poor Ian, might at last leave the town and see how many towers are in the world.
Posted by: Ian, Gravesend on 8:45am Sat 4 Oct 08
[quote][bold]doc[/bold] wrote:
I do`s not matter how long you have live in the town centre but how long you are going to live there. Plus it also matters about the vistors, who spend there hard earn cash which keep the locals in work. by local I mine anyone who works or lives in the town. As for rob and his out side workers, lets but a boarder arould gravesend and not let anyone who was not born in gravesend. The town would then be empty. how many times have you work out side off gravesend Rob? Or are you one of these sad people who has never left the town and you Ian get out about to see the world and you would then be happy to see the tower.[/quote] Been around the world many times, Doc!Just because I have roots here, dosen't mean I have not travelled.
When I go back to the Cayman Islands, in Jan, I hope there is not a tower block built right on the beach.
doc wrote:
I do`s not matter how long you have live in the town centre but how long you are going to live there. Plus it also matters about the vistors, who spend there hard earn cash which keep the locals in work. by local I mine anyone who works or lives in the town. As for rob and his out side workers, lets but a boarder arould gravesend and not let anyone who was not born in gravesend. The town would then be empty. how many times have you work out side off gravesend Rob? Or are you one of these sad people who has never left the town and you Ian get out about to see the world and you would then be happy to see the tower.
Been around the world many times, Doc!Just because I have roots here, dosen't mean I have not travelled.
When I go back to the Cayman Islands, in Jan, I hope there is not a tower block built right on the beach.
Posted by: doc, gravesend on 8:57am Sat 4 Oct 08
Yes I have as it go`s and I speak five language`s. maybe there will be no tower on the beach but I would bet you are staying in a large tower like hotal.
Yes I have as it go`s and I speak five language`s. maybe there will be no tower on the beach but I would bet you are staying in a large tower like hotal.
Posted by: Mark, Dartford on 9:06am Sat 4 Oct 08
What is a hotal?
Posted by: Ian, Gravesend on 9:16am Sat 4 Oct 08
[quote][bold]doc[/bold] wrote:
Yes I have as it go`s and I speak five language`s. maybe there will be no tower on the beach but I would bet you are staying in a large tower like hotal.[/quote] In English please.
doc wrote:
Yes I have as it go`s and I speak five language`s. maybe there will be no tower on the beach but I would bet you are staying in a large tower like hotal.
In English please.
Posted by: ReV, Gravesend High Street on 9:19am Sat 4 Oct 08
The tower plans seem abit thin to me, everyone seems to be just saying this huge tower is going to be good but not how or why, also it's going to COMPLETLY change the nature of the town.
Personally I love Gravesend, it's a lovely little place and quite thriving (at the moment) would hate to see it move down the lines of say Chatham.
Doc you may speak 5 languages but your a bloody awful speller!
;-)
The tower plans seem abit thin to me, everyone seems to be just saying this huge tower is going to be good but not how or why, also it's going to COMPLETLY change the nature of the town.
Personally I love Gravesend, it's a lovely little place and quite thriving (at the moment) would hate to see it move down the lines of say Chatham.
Doc you may speak 5 languages but your a bloody awful speller!
;-)
Posted by: doc, gravesend on 9:46am Sat 4 Oct 08
English is thrid language, I can speak better then I write.
I used to live in a little village in India. So my aboulages
English is thrid language, I can speak better then I write.
I used to live in a little village in India. So my aboulages
Posted by: Ian, Gravesend on 10:13am Sat 4 Oct 08
Try to be more convincing Doc!
Try to be more convincing Doc!
Posted by: Mark,, Datrford on 10:15am Sat 4 Oct 08
I would like to say sorry to doc. For asking what a hotal was.
I know you were trying to say hotel.
I would like to say sorry to doc. For asking what a hotal was.
I know you were trying to say hotel.
Posted by: Mark, Dartford on 10:26am Sat 4 Oct 08
[quote][bold]Mark,[/bold] wrote:
I would like to say sorry to doc. For asking what a hotal was. I know you were trying to say hotel.[/quote] No, I did not post that.I can spell, and it is not Datrford.Are you in league, with the development?
Mark, wrote:
I would like to say sorry to doc. For asking what a hotal was. I know you were trying to say hotel.
No, I did not post that.I can spell, and it is not Datrford.Are you in league, with the development?
Posted by: doc, gravesend on 10:30am Sat 4 Oct 08
I reget you do not trust me Ian,
But take it from me the tower will be for the good of gravesend.
I can say this because i have been involved in many of regenaration.
I reget you do not trust me Ian,
But take it from me the tower will be for the good of gravesend.
I can say this because i have been involved in many of regenaration.
Posted by: Mark, Dartford on 10:36am Sat 4 Oct 08
That is not me. Posted at 10:26 today.
I am mark of Dartford.
I know there are a few of us called mark in dartford.
So please can you call yourself Mark two.
That is not me. Posted at 10:26 today.
I am mark of Dartford.
I know there are a few of us called mark in dartford.
So please can you call yourself Mark two.
Posted by: Mark 1, Dartford on 10:49am Sat 4 Oct 08
Agreed. 'Suddenly 'there seems to be many Mark's. I think I was the first, but not sure.Therefore, I will post with a prefix or other .
'Doc' or 'Mark' from another poster is not me.
Agreed. 'Suddenly 'there seems to be many Mark's. I think I was the first, but not sure.Therefore, I will post with a prefix or other .
'Doc' or 'Mark' from another poster is not me.
Posted by: Ian, Gravesend on 11:01am Sat 4 Oct 08
[quote][bold]doc[/bold] wrote:
I reget you do not trust me Ian, But take it from me the tower will be for the good of gravesend. I can say this because i have been involved in many of regenaration.[/quote] How many?
doc wrote:
I reget you do not trust me Ian, But take it from me the tower will be for the good of gravesend. I can say this because i have been involved in many of regenaration.
How many?
Posted by: doc, gravesend on 11:04am Sat 4 Oct 08
jusr the one
Posted by: The Doctor, Galifrey on 2:00pm Sat 4 Oct 08
I've been involved with 9 regenerations personaly...
I've been involved with 9 regenerations personaly...
Posted by: d, gravesend on 6:38pm Sat 4 Oct 08
The use of the word regeneration does not automatically mean something good. Having actually read the application I can state it is full of incorrect & misleading information together with out and out untrues.
The use of the word regeneration does not automatically mean something good. Having actually read the application I can state it is full of incorrect & misleading information together with out and out untrues.
Posted by: Rob, Gravesend on 8:47am Sun 5 Oct 08
Thanks for that d.
I have suspected that for some time.There are views on the plans,that do not look good.
It is all very well people making comments, when they actually do not live in the area .If they love Towers go and live by Canary Wharf.
Thanks for that d.
I have suspected that for some time.There are views on the plans,that do not look good.
It is all very well people making comments, when they actually do not live in the area .If they love Towers go and live by Canary Wharf.
Posted by: Rob, Gravesend on 8:44am Tue 7 Oct 08
What will happen to all the trees ( the few remaining) by St. Georges Church, part of the development?
Not a very green project.
What will happen to all the trees ( the few remaining) by St. Georges Church, part of the development?
Not a very green project.
Posted by: Scott, Gravesend on 3:10pm Tue 7 Oct 08
I have only lived in Gravesend for a few years and over that time have come to feel very much at home. After growing up in Welling (which although just down the road feels very much like the back end of London) Gravesend offers a small (ish) town environment with it's own character and history. I'm all for development, I think the new apartments around the marina do not detract from the maritme character or the recreational space of the river front. However I feel such a large 'modern' looking development, smack-bang in the middle of this heritage section of the town will be too incongruent and may quickly become an eye sore as the concrete blocks dotted around the centre of town have. Surley planners and residense can come up with ideas that enhance the area but are in keeping with the character which has evolved from its maritime and recreational history. To construct this tower right on top of one of the nicest (if in need of a little TLC) recreational areas in the town will be a mistake fueled by the making of money for the few. Why not invest the time and resourses in saving the shop fronts down the high street from all the plastic and glass and rejuvenating the river front with more low key development to bring people into a vibrant and mulit-cultural town for recreation and enjoyment.
I have only lived in Gravesend for a few years and over that time have come to feel very much at home. After growing up in Welling (which although just down the road feels very much like the back end of London) Gravesend offers a small (ish) town environment with it's own character and history. I'm all for development, I think the new apartments around the marina do not detract from the maritme character or the recreational space of the river front. However I feel such a large 'modern' looking development, smack-bang in the middle of this heritage section of the town will be too incongruent and may quickly become an eye sore as the concrete blocks dotted around the centre of town have. Surley planners and residense can come up with ideas that enhance the area but are in keeping with the character which has evolved from its maritime and recreational history. To construct this tower right on top of one of the nicest (if in need of a little TLC) recreational areas in the town will be a mistake fueled by the making of money for the few. Why not invest the time and resourses in saving the shop fronts down the high street from all the plastic and glass and rejuvenating the river front with more low key development to bring people into a vibrant and mulit-cultural town for recreation and enjoyment.
Posted by: Marie, Gravesend on 4:03pm Tue 7 Oct 08
Would everyone be in favour of the tower if the developers wanted to build it right next door to them? I am all for regeneration but it must be in keeping with the character of the area. Building a 33 storey tower block in a historic area where no buildings are over 4 floors is madness. Its purely a way for the developers to make money.
Would everyone be in favour of the tower if the developers wanted to build it right next door to them? I am all for regeneration but it must be in keeping with the character of the area. Building a 33 storey tower block in a historic area where no buildings are over 4 floors is madness. Its purely a way for the developers to make money.
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