Plans to convert a 1930s cinema into flats have been delayed again after the developer announced it would reduce the height of the building.

The Majestic Cinema in King Street, Gravesend, has been earmarked for development since it was vacated in 2006 but has struggled to find a new tenant.

However plans by Lali Enterprises submitted earlier this year would see 53 flats on the former cinema site, including a nine-storey block where the auditorium once stood.

At a Gravesham Borough Council planning committee last month the plans were deferred after councillors raised concerns over the height of the flat block, which would tower over the original cinema.

After a site visit by councillors to the cinema on November 13, the developers submitted a reduced plan which would slash the height by two storeys.

But with little time to work with planning officers until the next meeting, the developers asked councillors to defer their decision until next year while further consultations on the height reduction could be made.

In a statement to the committee on Wednesday, the applicant's agent Mark Batchelor said: “We listened to the discussion and debate at your recent site meeting and understand there are some concerns around the height of the proposal.

This reduced development is not as profitable as the current scheme, but it remains deliverable

“In the days following from that visit we submitted a reduced scheme to your officers, which removed two storeys from the development at the rear. This would bring it in line with the height of the original building (auditorium).

“This reduced development is not as profitable as the current scheme, but it remains deliverable."

Leader of the council John Burden (Lab) asked councillors not to set a tight deadline: “I understand the need for development and I think deferral is the right move in this situation.

“As much as I am keen to drive delivery of new houses, I have got to temper that by suggesting there is something between now and January that is important to a lot of people. I’m happy to work through Christmas and ignore it, but I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect other people to.

“So what I’m saying is don’t give a hard guarantee it’ll be back in January, it could be the next cycle and depends on the applicant.”

Whilst all councillors were content with a deferral they were also keen to see a development at the site, as Cllr Samir Jassal (Con) said: “Just over the last week another unit there, Crumbs, has now closed down, which I’m sure will have a knock-on effect there on other businesses.

“That part of town needs it, and I’m not opposed to the principle of development - I think we all share those concerns.

Cllr Elizabeth Mulheran (Lab) wondered why the plans still didn’t include affordable housing, saying: “I think we all agree that the site needs development. There are two issues, you are recognising that height is an issue for us and affordable housing.

“Last time I asked about affordable housing and I was told because of profit margins we could have none, now I’m being told it’s because they’re reducing the number of flats. I think we need to have an element of affordable housing here.”

In a unanimous decision the committee deferred the plans until an unknown date.