A major breakthrough has been reached over a town centre development.

On Monday Gravesham Borough announced that Barratt Homes has agreed, in principle, to return the former Lord Street car park site to the council and pay compensation to cover the council’s costs, consultancy and legal fees.

Work to build flats on the site had ground to a halt after a dispute between the council and developer over how many apartments it was allowed to construct.

A spokesman said Barratt also agreed to complete landscaping and finishing work on their other site at the southern end of Parrock Street car park.

Council leader Cllr Mike Snelling said: “We shall look to using the site for an interim use until such time as the proper development of this site can be brought forward, having regard to the state of the development market at present.

"Clearly, in future should the site require an alternative approach, far reaching consultation will take place before any proposal is taken forward.”

For the full story see this week's Gravesend Messenger.