A CIVIC group member has accused Gravesham Council's leader of "bullying" over the decision to grant planning permission to Gravesend’s controversial Heritage Quarter development.

Urban Gravesham has written to Gravesham Council asking it to look again at the judgement of the Regulatory Board on April 30 which gave the go-ahead to the £120m plans.

In a letter to the council from solicitors DMH Stallard, the group has cited the advice of planning barrister James Findlay QC that board members were "misled" by council leader Councillor John Burden and officer Martin Goodman.

Urban Gravesham member and planning barrister Jonathan Clay argues the advice there were no reasonable grounds to reject the application was incorrect making the decision "unlawful". 

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Jonathan Clay is ejected from the Regulatory Board meeting on April 30.

Mr Clay still feels as passionately as he did the night of the meeting at the Civic Centre when he was ejected by security staff for standing and up and making clear his opposition to the plans by developer Edinburgh House.

He told News Shopper: "It was an appalling meeting.

"We saw a form of bullying by officers and the leader and that is what makes the decision illegal.

"It would be wholly irresponsible for the council to ignore the advice of someone as senior as Mr Findlay saying they have acted improperly."

Opponents of the scheme claimed it includes too many one bedroom flats, would take away too many parking spaces, block out sunlight for apartments in Melbourne Quay and other nearby complexes and would damage the historic aspect of Gravesend town centre.

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The Eastern Quarter under Edinburgh House's plans (see the full proposals here).

Planning permission was granted by a casting vote from board chair Cllr Jane Cribbon after three members voted for, three against and three abstained during a tense meeting lasting nearly four hours.

An Urban Gravesham spokesman added: "The disgraceful decision to approve this hated development has caused outrage in the community.

"To avoid court action, the council must now bring the matter back to committee. But this time they must make sure they do not provide misleading advice.

"If given a free vote, we are convinced councillors would have rejected the scheme. "

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An aerial shot shows the areas to be redeveloped. 

Opponents of the plans have three months from the date of the decision to register objections to the council.

If the decision is not sent back to the board, Urban Gravesham is prepared to challenge it in the High Court by judicial review.

The Heritage Quarter development includes plans for around 330 apartments, a 50-bedroom hotel, restaurants, cafes, underground parking, children’s play areas and a community centre.

Both Gravesham Council and Edinburgh House declined to comment.

Do you think Gravesham Council should reconsider the Heritage Quarter decision? E-mail tim.macfarlan@london.newsquest.co.uk or tweet @NewsShopperTim