The Government’s architecture watchdog has praised Gravesham borough council’s plans (pictured) for the redevelopment of the Lord Street area of Gravesend.
The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) praised the council for being “fully committed to a high-quality outcome”.
CABE noted: “The scheme aspires to fulfil the agenda set out in the Governments Urban White paper, by using a brownfield site, cutting down on car dependency, involving the community in a lively consultation process and providing a high-quality mixed-use development.”
The council-owned 3ha (7.5-acre) site is presently given over to car parking. The masterplan, drawn up by Penoyre and Prasad Architect, will be implemented in stages, the first of which will provide 149 houses and flats, 25% of which will be “affordable homes”.
Some of the apartments will be located within a 16-storey tower, which will provide each flat with its own winter garden, designed to open for use as a balcony or to be integrated into the living space.
CABE’s design committee commented: “We support the design for the Lord Street/Eden Place courtyard block, which we think is an elegant and high-quality building. We also support the inclusion of the 16-storey tower, which we think could become a key part of Gravesends identity. In the context of an overall masterplan which it is envisaged will be carried out over a span of many years, the presence of the tower will be a useful and meaningful beacon for the project.”
EGi News 17/07/01
