An ambitious regeneration plan for 1,300 new homes, bars and restaurants in a new riverside community has been revealed.

Developers hope to transform a "run down" former industrial area of Gravesend close to the canal basin and the Embankment Marina.

The project, known as Albion Waterside, will reflect the maritime and industrial nature of the area while also restoring part of the Thames and Medway Canal, if it is approved.

Plans will be shaped over the next three months after developers unveiled their vision for the scheme during a virtual meeting on Wednesday evening.

Craig Carson, development director for developers Joseph Homes, said the firm has "experience unlocking challenging sites".

He said the area was challenging due to the 350m-long waterfront which needed its flood defences enhanced and "significant contamination" which needed removing.

Mr Carson also revealed the need for power to be routed to the land before any work could take place.

He said: "We're looking at bringing 1,300 homes and 4,500 sq m of commercial space that will unlock 400 jobs and sustainable transport infrastructure not wholly reliant on the car.

"We're looking to safeguard the canal alignment which was previously filled in.

"We're aware of the Second World War pilot who lost their life and looking to bring some celebration of that.

"There will be clear river views for the new community and existing communities."

Developers also iterated there will be improvements to the existing east-west cycle routes and footpaths with the canal used as "an amenity function" for the public.

A main route through the middle of the site will be combined with a new riverside footpath ensuring a continuation of the promenade from the eastern end of the site and the town centre.

"We're looking at bringing 1,300 homes and 4,500 sq m of commercial space that will unlock 400 jobs and sustainable transport infrastructure..."

Initial visions presented at the virtual meeting revealed up to 22 buildings on the site including a "landmark" building opposite the Gravesend Sailing Club.

This would be located within the area of the site known as "The Heart" which developers said would be the main "hub of activity" on the marina accessed by the walkways from Gravesend town centre and the riverside.

It has been suggested a "beer tap room" and other retail spaces could fill the buildings on the ground floor surrounding the new plaza with flats in the floors above.

Along the riverside, buildings fronting on to the Thames would have "podium gardens" elevated above the promenade looking out across the water.

Developers said 40 comments had been shared relating to "likes, dislikes and dreams" for the area which had been "fed into our work in progress".

The meeting was told newsletters had been handed out locally and early discussions about the plans had been held with the sailing club as well as visiting the Embankment Marina, Ship and Lobster and Gravesend Library.

Charles Campion, from architects JTP, said responses including a sense of the area being "run down with fly tipping, anti-social behaviour and littering and feels a bit dark and dingy".

But he said from a regeneration perspective the "maritime history linked to the site gives us something to work with".

Rebecca Taylor, also from JTP, said the designs had taken on board elements of the site's history as an iron works, brewery on site and soapmakers with influences from traditional wharf buildings being incorporated into the plans.

The site, which has been allocated by Gravesham Borough Council as having potential for redevelopment since 1994, was previously earmarked for 650 homes.

But council planning policy also states it could be used for "around 4,550 sq m" of employment space as well as improvements to the former Thames and Medway Canal and Saxon Shore Way and national cycle route.

Flood defence plans are being discussed with the Environment Agency.

A second consultation phase has opened with public comments welcomed until September 21 when full designs will be drawn up and presented again in October.

Final plans are due to be submitted to Gravesham Borough Council in the New Year.

To view the latest plans and submit your views head to albionwaterside.co.uk

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