A multi-million-pound regeneration project has bagged a national accolade just as work restarts.

The Charter, in Gravesend town centre, has been named the best build-to-rent development in the country at the Inside Housing Development Awards 2023.

It had been shortlisted alongside eight other developments.

Celebrating the news, leader of Gravesham council, Cllr John Burden (Lab), said: “To win this award, judged by a panel of housing and development industry experts, is a tremendous achievement for the team behind The Charter, and highlights what a high-quality development it will be when it completes next year.

“It comes after what has been a challenging period following the issues experienced with our original main contractor going into administration this summer and the short pause in work that followed.

“But with work now underway again and this national recognition adding extra impetus, we are looking forward to pressing ahead and releasing these much-needed rental properties to the Gravesham community through our local-first marketing campaign.”

Work on the scheme, which will create 242 flats and a new multi-storey car park, restarted two months ago after construction stopped in the middle of June when then contractor Henry Construction collapsed into administration.

At the time, rumours were rife, with many people believing Gravesham council was in talks with London boroughs and had already sold the building to Lewisham council.

But these were quickly shut down by Cllr Burden at a full council meeting on June 20 who confirmed this was not true.

Since work stopped, developers Rosherville Ltd and Reef Group looked to get the project back on track and by the end of August initial preparations started on site.

Construction is now being carried out by construction firm Statom Group.

Development director at Reef Group, Peter Langly-Smith, added: “The Charter will provide high quality, and much needed housing for the people of Gravesham.

“We remain totally committed to the development and getting The Charter completed.”

Work on the project, which is divided between plots on the former Market Square and Horn Yard car parks, began in March 2021 after being granted planning permission in 2020.

The town centre development is a key part of the council's master plan to breathe new life into the area.