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Councillors have clashed over plans to demolish a historic water tower in order to build two bungalows and a block of four flats.
The application to bring down the Victorian water tower of Milton Barracks in Gravesend was discussed by Gravesham council’s planning committee on Wednesday.
Councillors voted five in favour, four against to approve the plan to build two one-bedroom bungalows and a two-storey block containing four two-bedroom flats.
But the scheme was branded “another nail in the coffin for Gravesend’s local heritage” by leader of the opposition Cllr Jordan Meade FRSA, who had called for the decision to be deferred so that councillors could visit the site.
Conservative councillors asked why a plan to convert the water tower had not been considered and officers reported that feasibility studies had suggested the idea was not economically viable.
Cllr Meade said: “I am deeply dissatisfied with this reply and argued that such studies should have been included as part of the public report pack so that councillors could determine for themselves if saving the historic feature was a possibility.”
He was backed by other Conservative members but Cllr Meade’s motion was defeated after five members of the committee voted against the idea of a site visit.
Commenting on the defeat he said: “To be honest, I am utterly ashamed to be a member of an authority that is carelessly nodding through planning consents which are erasing our local heritage assets.
"The water tower of Milton Barracks has stood firmly for over 160 years, representing local craftmanship and providing a unique reminder of the borough’s importance as a military base in both World Wars.
"Thanks to their rush to build, this tower will now be demolished even though the possibility of conservation has not been thoroughly considered.”
The application and demolition was approved subject to enhanced conditions which included the reuse of brickwork and the preservation of the Victorian plaque.
A report explaining the planning department's recommendation to approve the scheme, said the development was not considered to have a significant impact on the character and appearance of the adjoining Conservation Area.
It also noted the proposed development would have no significant impact on surrounding properties in terms of amenity and no concerns are raised with regards to parking or highway safety.
