The next phase of plans to transform a former Sikh temple into new homes has been announced.

The old gurdwara in Clarence Place, Gravesend was granted permission to be turned into fourteen flats at the end of last year.

In January, the relevant planning conditions for the development were formally accepted and soon after, the Guru Nanak Darbar set up a board to oversee the project.

It’s now been announced four teams of project development, financial, communications and governance will collaborate with completion expected by the end of 2024.

The site will feature a mixture of one and two bedroom flats, an entrance lobby, a library, and cycle and bin storages.

Facilities and six of the apartments will be on the ground floor, five will be on the first level, and three on the top.

A spokesperson for the Guru Nanak Darbar committee said: “Over the past few months, we have undertaken a soft strip back to the site’s walls and removed all the rubbish.

“We have appointed a team of design specialists to produce the detailed design.”

“Once the design is complete we plan to issue a formal tender to contractors.

“A third party will manage the tender contract process.”

The committee will also communicate with the gurdwara congregation (Sangat) through a meeting each first Saturday of the month and will make stage announcements on the first Sunday of each month.

The spokesperson added: “By establishing a clear communication plan with Sangat and promoting open and honest communication throughout the project, teams can ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal and that the project is delivered successfully.”

Clarence Place has been left vacant for the past 12 years and subjected to vandalism since the move to the current gurdwara.

An original bid to flatten the former temple which once served as as a place of worship for Christians prior to that was turned down in 2020.

Adjusted plans to instead convert the temple into flats as opposed to demolishing it have since been approved.

The new development will remain a part of the gurdwara’s estate and profits from renting the flats will go back into its funds.

The planning process started in 2018 and so far costs to date have been £84,000.