Plans to build a skyscraper in Gravesend are being held up – because of trapped wind.

Developers behind the proposals for a 32-storey tower are waiting for the results of an environmental impact assessment report, before they can submit the application to Gravesham Borough Council.

The report will look at the impact of building a skyscraper on the riverfront, and one of the key issues will be the potential affect on wind patterns.

Martin McKay, vice-chairman for local campaign group Urban Gravesham, and an architect planner at Medway Council, thinks it could prove a problem.

He said: “What does tend to happen with buildings of this size, is that the wind hits them and gets diverted downwards and hits the ground with real force – they don’t call Chicago the windy city for nothing.

“If that happens in this case it could make any pedestrian area at the bottom very uncomfortable.”

There are ways to avoid this trapped wind scenario however.

Mr McKay added: “There are several ways you can design the wind problem away, and pretty quickly. One way is to build canopies a couple of floors up which send the wind out sideways.”

Edinburgh House is poised to submit a planning application for a £130 million regeneration scheme – part of which is the tower.

Models and artist impressions of the proposals, which include 600 flats, underground parking, retail space and two new town square areas, were shown to residents at Towncentric last year – but the design has since been under wraps.

Now the town is waiting to see exactly how Gravesend’s future could look – and it may not have to wait longer than a week.

A spokesman for Edinburgh House said it is ready to go once environmental reports are back. And despite a mixed reaction to the plans – it is positive about its success.

The spokesman said: “We urge the public to embrace this vision for the regeneration of Gravesend, and consider the benefits associated with these plans.

“Naturally, the proposed iconic tower has proved a talking point, but that should not detract from the overall benefits offered by the scheme.”