Council flats will be knocked down and replaced with new builds in the next phase of a regeneration programme.

Permission was granted last night (Wednesday) at Gravesham council's planning committee for the demolition of flats in St Patrick’s Gardens and St Columba’s Close, Gravesend.

It will see numbers 1-12 and 36-41 St Patrick's Gardens and the even numbers only between 28 and 42 St Columba's Close knocked down – totalling 26 units.

In its place, 46 affordable properties – a mixture of flats, maisonettes and houses – will be built at the development off Valley Drive.

The scheme will also include a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom properties.

It will also include new vehicle and pedestrian access, amenity space, bin storage, 58 cycle spaces and 34 parking spaces – although none dedicated to visitors.

It forms the next phase of the council's long-term regeneration strategy as it looks to redevelop its own substandard accommodation and brownfield or underused sites into affordable homes.

Gravesham council's cabinet member for housing and services Cllr Jenny Wallace said: "These much-needed new council homes will be just the latest in our programme to build hundreds of such homes.

"They will be available for people on our housing register, where we currently have more than 1,000 households waiting for homes to become available, and for tenants living in unsuitable housing."

Council officers had recommend the plans be approved subject to planning condition.

As the applicant is the local planning authority, the decision was referred to the planning committee.

The approval comes as the first tenants are about to move into the latest development of 16 new council flats in Valley Drive, Gravesend, for households in need of new accommodation.

Cllr Wallace added: "We know we have so many local people patiently waiting for somewhere to call a home of their own.

"We are working as hard and as fast as we can to build new homes, and the fact we are being given permission for our next development just as our newest homes become available illustrates that perfectly.

"Of course, building works at St Columba’s will take some time, but I look forward to seeing the completed development and welcoming the new tenants as they move in in the not too distant future."

The flats in St Patrick's Gardens and St Columba's Close are occupied by council tenants but the local authority confirmed it will help to find them alternative accommodation.