AN £100m deal has been signed to deliver the revamp of Gravesend's Heritage Quarter.

Gravesham Council says the agreement, made with Edinburgh House Estates Ltd, marks a formal commitment to delivering the flagship regeneration project.

The propsed Heritage Quarter development would create 1,000 jobs for the town.

Plans include 600 apartments, restaurants, offices, shops and a 40 to 60 bedroom hotel.

A total of 1,200 car parking spaces would supply the site, an extra 800 new spaces for the town.

Included in the plans is the provision of new and improved public space, a modern events area, a new church and community facilities.

Traffic calming initiatives would be introduced and better links are planned between the town centre and the riverfront.

Edinburgh House was selected as the council's preferred development partner in 2005.

Council leader Councillor John Burden said: "This landmark agreement is key to the future of Gravesend and our vision of an historic riverside town turning once more to face the river, making the most of its heritage while rejuvenating its principal asset."

Managing director of Edinburgh House Tony Quayle said: "We have worked closely with the council to ensure our proposals offer wide-reaching regeneration benefits and make a positive contribution to the town centre as a whole."

A spokesman for Gravesham Council said a detailed planning application is likely to be submitted in later this year, with construction scheduled for 2008.