Mums and their children from the Waterside Family Centre have spoken out after discovering they could lose their building under development plans.

The independent family centre is a lifeline to parents who have been referred via a GP for reasons such as behavioural issues, parenting skills, depression, a child’s need to socialise or development issues.

Co-ordinator Kim Caleno, who has run the group in St George’s House on Church Street for 16 years, said: “If the proposed plans go ahead, this building will be demolished.

“We’ve never been included in the main plans but we have had informal meetings with Edinburgh House. They’ve said they can help us but we’re never going to get anywhere near as good as our centre here – there’s nothing that can come close.

“Not many people will have heard of us and probably won’t even know we’re here because we’re tucked away, yet in a prime location for people who have been referred to our service.

“We don’t really advertise ourselves because of the sensitive nature of our work, but now seems the time to stick our head out above the parapet.

“We have about 100 families and offer a range of different support services for families right across Gravesham.

“Our involvement with families can have a huge impact on their lives and that the support offered is genuinely beneficial and much appreciated.

“If Waterside, which is unique, ceased to exist as a result of the redevelopment, it would be devastating and a huge loss to Gravesham.”

One mum using the centre is Maria Cronin, originally from New York, who brings her daughters Celeste, two, and Freya, four, to family support sessions.

She said: “We’ve been coming here for nearly five years and there’s really nothing else like it. It’s a very personal service.

"They get to know you and they care about you and your family – they’re like an extended family.

“If the centre had to close down, I would be lost without it. Other groups focus on the mums or they focus on the children, this group is for the family.”

Development manager for Edinburgh House Richard Hughes said: “In no way do we want to see the centre close due to a change of premises.

"We fully understand, appreciate and are sympathetic toward the valuable service they offer.

“We’ve had several meetings with the group, their landlords the Diocese of Rochester and Gravesham council to source alternative accommodation and understand their requirements.

“We’re confident that we can find new premises that suit the needs of the organisation and the families they work with.

"The Waterside Centre’s location means it is in the latter phase of the development and there is still approximately two to three years to find new accommodation.

“This is an ongoing discussion and will be a priority for us if the planning application is successful.”

Come back tomorrow for all the information you'll need ahead of the planning meeting and how you can follow the meeting live on Kent Online.