Plans to replace a derelict department store plot with a “car-free village” and a boutique cinema have taken a step forward.

Dartford council has agreed to further finance revised plans to transform the site of the empty Co-op building, between Spital Street and Hythe Street in Dartford, into a mixed-use development.

The future of the regeneration project had previously been thrown into doubt after developers insisted a previous version of the scheme needed to be bigger to justify costs.

But since taking the scheme in-house the council has appointed a project team and award-winning architects Peter Barber to create a revitalised low-rise vision for the derelict plot which sets out proposals for new homes and amenities aimed at encouraging people to spend more time in the town.

It includes the building of 24 “low-rise” houses with private gardens, 14 maisonettes and 31 apartments. Of these, 30% would be affordable rented.

Routes through the pedestrianised area, which would be named Westgate Village, will be “car-free” with no access for vehicles, unless for disabled use, and no buildings more than four-storeys high.

However, at a meeting of the council’s cabinet advisory board last week members raised some practical concerns about the concept of a car-less development.

They asked how this could be implemented and whether, in reality, residents would retain cars but would park them in adjoining areas with knock-on effects in terms of parking.

Caroline Hicks, the council’s director of growth and community, said the issue of car ownership would be dealt with by way of covenants but agreed the concept was relatively new and there could be challenges.

According to a design study for the scheme, it would enforced by controlled parking zones in the area, preventing any resident of the new proposal from applying for a permit.

A small number of on street parking spaces are also suggested along Kent Road for disabled parking bays.

However, chairman of the advisory committee cllr Brian Garden (Con) said he felt a need to provide some on-site parking as part of the development and expressed concern over the loss of the public car park at Westgate, which sits opposite the now closed ATIK nightclub in Essex Street.

Another member highlighted the lack of promised additional medical services for the site in the plan.

Members also queried the inclusion of new retail as part of the proposed development given the number of empty shops in the town and were concerned building new units might add to displacement.

The inclusion of a soft-play area was suggested to attract visitors and build on the success of Buccaneer Bay in nearby Central Park.

The plans also include community space in the former Co-op building with suggested uses including a “library of things” - a concept similar to a library, but instead of books, allows residents to borrow items they might only need occasionally.

Other suggestions include a repair shop, food market/deli/food shops, nursery, and a small scale boutique cinema to encourage people to spend longer in Dartford town centre

Councillors were told that if approved, the proposals would require an extra £850,000 of council money to advance to the next stage of planning.

The report added: “We have got to meet central housing targets but we are determined it will be attractive, well-designed and low-rise.

“The regeneration of the Westgate site is a key component for achieving new facilities in Dartford for visitors/residents for leisure and community uses to complement the nearby Orchard Theatre, as well as providing new accommodation and the renewal of redundant land.”

The site has sat empty since the closure of the Co-op department store in 2008 and its part demolition in 2013.

The original art deco façade on Spital Street will be retained.

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A £75m Westgate regeneration project was originally approved by councillors in 2020, which was to see the site transformed into hundreds of new homes, a multi-screen cinema, a health and wellbeing centre and a string of restaurants and bars.

Under the previous scheme, piloted by Muse Developments, the former Co-op building was to be given a facelift to become a new 85-bed hotel but it ran into Brexit and Covid-related issues.

Muse had suggested a revised project brief but despite both parties' best efforts even the most appropriate proposal would still have required considerable investment.

Instead, the council decided to acquire the Co-op site from the government's housing agency, Homes England, to create its own “housing-led scheme”.

It was decided to approve the direct development option enabling the council to maintain control of the design quality and social value while financial risk would be managed by delivery of the project in phases.

It’s envisaged phase one will likely cost the council around £5million.

Dartford council’s cabinet agreed last Thursday (July 25) to commit further funds and proceed with the direct development of the project.

However, councillors will still have opportunities to discuss parts of the design they didn’t approve of at later stages.