The Civic Society
for Gravesend and Northfleet
GRAVESEND’S GHERKIN HIT FROM ALL SIDES
Residents say NO!
English Heritage slams scheme
Political opposition grows
Urban Gravesham has vowed to continue its campaign against a 32 storey
tower proposed on Council owned land in Gravesend’s Heritage
Quarter. The organisation is now affiliated with the main riverside
residents groups and is cooperating with other local groups to fight
the proposals.
In a separate development, papers obtained by Urban Gravesham through
the Freedom of Information Act reveal the depth of English
Heritage’s opposition to the tower. In a comprehensive letter to
the Council, the Government body responsible for the historic
environment stated:
‘the proposal will be totally
out of context with the prevailing character of the historic core
Gravesend, it will have an overbearing affect, seriously affecting the
character of ... this important part of the town centre...’
English Heritage will continue to fight the proposals. This is a serious blow to the Edinburgh House/ Council scheme.
In the meantime Gravesham’s Liberal Democrats are opposing the
scheme and the prospective Labour Party Candidate for Gravesham has
also started a campaign. Despite this Urban Gravesham believe that the
main parties are undecided. Opposition from local people will help the
politicians make up their minds. This is why Urban Gravesham is calling
for anyone who is concerned about the tower to join its campaign.