Why has work on site stopped?
Work has temporarily paused on The Charter development of 242 apartments and a new Multi-storey car park in Gravesend town centre. Rosherville has been made aware that the contractor, Henry Construction Projects Ltd, has filed for administration.
Rosherville have been working proactively with Reef, who are advancing potential solutions to getting works re-started as swiftly as possible.
Will the homes be available for local people?
Yes. All properties within The Charter development will be marketed locally first in order to encourage local people to apply for properties. There is no intention for these to be leased or sold to other local authorities.
The rumours that the Charter is being built for, owned by, or sold to London Boroughs is categorically untrue.
Will these be for council housing?
The properties at The Charter development will not form part of Gravesham Borough Council’s overall social (sometimes referred to as Council) housing stock as this site is being privately developed. All the properties at The Charter will be available to rent on the open market, marketed towards local people. 20% will be available at Discount Market Rent (which is 80% of open market rent).
What types of homes are being delivered?
There will be 242 homes in total, consisting of a mix of:
- 34 studio apartments
- 75 one-bed apartments
- 117 two-bed apartments
- 16 three-bed apartments
What are the names of the buildings at The Charter?
- E01 – 2 Bank Street
- E02 – 15 Bank Street
- E03 – 10 Bull Yard
- Multi-Storey Car Park – Horn Yard Car Park
Will there be parking?
A new multi-storey car park includes 186 parking spaces, comprising 102 public parking spaces, 75 spaces for residents, 9 spaces for the medical centre and 6 motorcycle bays. The car park will allow 24-hour access for residential parking with controlled access for the public between set times. An ANPR system is proposed for ticketless public parking. The proposal is for an agreement between Rosherville and Gravesham Borough Council for its management.
What about those of us who cycle?
There are 4 cycle stores located around the development at ground level with space for 242 bicycles in total.
What facilities will be available?
All apartments are finished to the same specification (kitchens, bathrooms and finishes) regardless of location, tenure or rent levels.
- Kitchens – All Bosch appliances with 5 years parts and labour warranty.
- Windows – Triple glazed with high acoustic, thermal and glare control properties.
- Heating system – All electric with radiator panels and hot water storage cylinders in each apartment
- Ventilation system – Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MHVR) to each apartment with openable windows to all habitable rooms.
All residents will have access to internal amenity areas in E01 (lounges, event spaces and workspace), private courtyard garden (E01) and roof terraces. There will be 3 accessible roof terraces for residents in E01 block plus 1 in E02. Each with landscaped with planter boxes and benches.
Do you have any accessible apartments?
There are 5 fully fitted out wheelchair accessible apartments (located in block E01) plus a further 19 capable of being adapted to wheelchair accessible if required.
What are the safety features of The Charter?
There is an on site concierge, CCTV coverage internally and externally, swipe card/fob access to all building entrances and communal areas, key access to apartment front doors and a door entry system with camera/screen to each apartment.
In terms of Fire Safety, there are no combustible materials in the external building envelope. There are sprinklers to all apartments and communal areas plus a high degree of compartmentation. Apartments operate on a ‘defend in place’ evacuation strategy whereby only those within the apartment of origin will evacuate in the event of fire. An evacuation alert system is also installed to allow the fire brigade or building management to control any evacuation procedures.
What is an ‘on site concierge’ and what services does it provide?
The ‘on site concierge’ service is like that of a reception desk at a hotel. This will provide a friendly welcome to the development and be a point of contact for any queries residents have.
How will deliveries be managed?
There will be a loading bay on Bank Street adjacent to the entrance and concierge. Postboxes will be located in the main entrance lobbies of each block.
Are the apartments sustainable?
Photovoltaic panels are located on all available flat roof areas, waste water heat recovery, sustainable drainage system, smart metering system, LED lighting and thermostatic controls to each individual apartment. All external materials and fixings are designed for a marine environment and will be subject to a regular cleaning and maintenance regime.
What about waste and recycling facilities?
Bin stores will be located adjacent to each stair core at ground level. There will be twice weekly collections for all refuse, recycling and food waste.
Who is the management agent and what service do they provide?
Touchstone Residential have been engaged as the management agent for the site. They will be the key contact for tenants and will be responsible for rent collection and dealing with the day-to-day management of the site.
What rent will be charged?
Touchstone were appointed at the end of 2022 and we are working with them to develop rent levels, based on competitor and local market/area analysis. Proposed rents will be available later this year. It is important to note:
- This is a new offer to Gravesend. The Charter is a Build to Rent development, with residents enjoying spacious apartments, alongside a number of shared spaces, from resident lounges to co-working areas, terraces and gardens.
- The Charter will have exceptional customer service, with an on-site team and an app for residents to raise any problems.
- Apartments are available furnished and unfurnished.
- 20% of apartments will be available at discounted market rent, which is 80% of the market rent payable.
