![]() The 23-storey tower, which houses 121 apartments, will create a recognisable skyline, forming a sense of arrival along the Thames and Gravesend. Just a 10-minute walk from Gravesend Train Station, with its 24-minute route to London St Pancras, this project, linked by the riverside walk, hopes to reconnect the Town with the River Thames through place-making, re-opening to the public and providing public realm on the Thames, something that has not happened since the closure to passenger traffic over 67 years ago.Ģ27 new 1 and 2-bed homes, spread across two sites, will inhabit the proposal including a new landmark way-finding building along Gravesend riverside. Today it sits underused and derelict, an inaccessible site set apart from the community. The pier, built in the late 19th century, was originally a part of the passenger and freight rail services and then in 1968 when this ended it was taken over for boat building, builders’ merchants and eventually storage. ![]() A spokesman from Sorbon Estates said: “We are working closely with the Environment Agency and hope to finalise plans for the slipway soon.Last night (Wednesday, 22 July) Gravesham Borough Council granted planning permission for the restoration and development of the historic pier Clifton Slipways. The ownership of the land is unclear but the area of riverbank, along with the manorial rights, were sold to the town council, formerly Henley Borough Council, in 1932 by the previous owner, William Mackenzie of Fawley Court. In April last year the company agreed to dig out the concrete following negotiations with the council but nothing was done.Īt the time, Sorbon said it had agreed to draw up concepts to improve the area, arranging visits from technical advisors and instructing architects. ![]() When Sorbon Estates created the parking spaces it claimed the slipway posed a risk to pedestrians. We’ve been concerned about the secrecy through all this when it should have been clear cut from the beginning that this was illegal and wrong.” “However, I will believe it when I see it. “I will be absolutely delighted to stand down there and watch someone launch their boat into the river. Society, said: “We’ve earned our keep over the last two years as we’ve been pushing very hard for this. John Skuse, chairman of the Middle Thames branch of the River Thames “A huge thank-you to the council and Sheridan for all the work they did behind the scenes and also to the Henley Society.” “It’s also an historic part of Henley that should be preserved for future It’s a fantastic slipway and absolutely ideal for small craft like paddleboards and canoes to gain access to the river. ![]() Town councillor Stefan Gawrysiak said: “This is good news. “We’d also like to thank Sorbon Estates for their co-operation and recognition of this important local amenity.” “We’d like to thank the River Thames Society and all those who have joined the council in championing the cause and especially the Environment Agency for bringing this issue to a satisfactory conclusion. Town clerk Sheridan Jacklin-Edward said: “The council is delighted to hear that the slipway will soon be available to use once more, especially following the council’s work last year to restore it. “The town council did a brilliant job to remove the concrete and our position now is to keep pressure on the agency and Sorbon until it is done because if it doesn’t happen by spring next year, there will be another season lost for river users.” “We have a growing number of canoe and paddle-boarders who need access through a facility which is donkey’s years old and should never have been blocked off. Geoff Luckett, who chairs the Henley Society, said: “It’s important that the pontoon is removed for the benefit of Henley residents and visitors.
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