A HIGH Court judge has rejected a council’s bid for an injuction to prevent a hostel opening in Gravesend.

Gravesham Council applied for the injunction last month (May) after inspectors discovered developer HFHA was turning former office block Cygnet House in Windmill Street into a hostel with dormitories.

This breached the planning permission the council had given HFHA, which was for a hotel with 60 en suite rooms.

However, last Tuesday (June 2) Judge Richard Seymour said an injunction was unnecessary as there is insufficient evidence the developer intends to open the building in breach of planning permission.

A council spokesman said it is “seeking advice on an appeal against the judgement”.

HFHA has now applied to the council for planning permission for the hostel, which it had originally planned to open last month.

The council spokesman could not say when a decision will be made on the application.

Residents living near Cygnet House have protested against HFHA’s plans for a hostel, saying it will be disruptive due to guests coming and going late at night.