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Ideas to transform run-down Lowfield Street will go on show at the Dartford Festival this weekend

Ideas to transform run-down Lowfield Street will go on show this weekend.

Meyer Homes, which is responsible for the regeneration, will be holding a series of public exhibitions on plans to transform the derelict site in Dartford into a mixed-use development, including an estimated 500 homes.

It will give people a first glimpse of what is in store for the run-down part of town and the chance to have their say on what they would like to see.

Where Tesco planned to build in Lowfield Street, before the firm pulled the plug on the scheme.
Where Tesco planned to build in Lowfield Street, before the firm pulled the plug on the scheme.

The plans will be displayed at the festival in Central Park on Saturday and Sunday and will go on show at Dartford Civic Centre next Wednesday from 3pm - 8pm.

While proposals for the site are still in the pre-planning stages, the public presentation is to gather feedback before an application is submitted this year.

The proposals include a number of homes, enhanced public access to Central Park and a “reactivated streetscape” in Lowfield Street which will revitalise the neglected area of Dartford.

Jamie Pearson, of Meyer Homes, said: “We are excited to launch our consultation on regenerating this part of Dartford after the negative legacy left by previous planning applications that were not delivered in practice.

What Lowfield Street may look like from Market Street, following the regeneration by Meyer Homes.
What Lowfield Street may look like from Market Street, following the regeneration by Meyer Homes.

“We are committed to delivering new, thoughtfully designed homes for Dartford and finally providing the development Lowfield Street has long deserved.”

It hopefully means that after years of misery, the street will finally be redeveloped.

For 15 years the site in Lowfield Street has been a no man’s land after a series of planning disappointments.

Between 2002 and 2013 debating, confrontation and disappointment led to absolutely nothing.

Tesco submitted four planning applications to build a superstore on the site, and said they were ready to get going.

Lowfield Street, Dartford, when Tesco was still promising to carry out work.
Lowfield Street, Dartford, when Tesco was still promising to carry out work.

But more delays followed and in January 2015 the retailer abandoned its plans as part of a nationwide cut back on new and unprofitable stores.

Their hoardings, thanking people “for your patience” during the fiasco, were removed and the road looked abandoned.

The news was a blow to residents, but particularly to the businesses all along the road who had been bought and turfed out with Compulsory Purchase Orders.

Ray Richardson ran Dartford’s oldest butcher’s of more than 104 years in Lowfield Street.

He held on for more than 10 years through Tesco’s indecisiveness, determined to keep his business alive, but eventually, like so many other businesses on the same street, had to throw the towel in.

What was once a bustling street had been turned into a ghost town.

From left, Barry Elphick, Pavid Pritchard, Ray Richardson, David Giles, and Paul Richardson. Last day open for Richardson and Sons butchers, Lowfield Road, Dartford, as its is forced to close because of the new Tesco development.
From left, Barry Elphick, Pavid Pritchard, Ray Richardson, David Giles, and Paul Richardson. Last day open for Richardson and Sons butchers, Lowfield Road, Dartford, as its is forced to close because of the new Tesco development.

In October 2015 Tesco sold the site to Meyer, a European real estate investment and fund management firm, with the intention it would be used for new homes.

Last month, Meyer announced it would fully unveil its plans for a new housing development later in the summer.

In the meantime, some of Dartford’s most talented artists teamed up to give all the hoardings surrounding the site a fresh new look.

Dartford council leader Cllr Jeremy Kite (Con) declined to comment this week, but has previously said few would be sorry to see the end of Tesco’s involvement with Lowfield Street, which many saw as a wasted development opportunity.

Speaking in October 2015, when the Meyer sale went through, he said: “It sees the land at last in the hands of owners who seem motivated and able to make something good happen in a way that Tesco clearly weren’t.”

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