PLANNING permission has again been refused for a riverside development after a public inquiry was held into the application.

Proposals for 270 homes and a cafe, bar and restaurant facility for Imperial Wharf, Clifton Marine Parade, Gravesend, were made by Ravenblack Developments Limited.

Gravesham Council, the Port of London Authority (PLA) and the Environment Agency all objected to the plans.

The council rejected the orginal planning application because it does not want the wharf facility lost to the town.

It also raised concerns about the risk of flooding to the new properties, potential noise created by the proposed restaurant, concerns about the character of the development and insufficent parking.

The inquiry was called after Ravenblack Developments Limited contested the council's decision and appealed to the Planning Inspectorate.

In an opening statement to the inquiry, a representative from the developer said the houses would not be at an unacceptable risk from flooding and would sit comfortably in the surroundings.

Following the inquiry last October, the inspector recommended planning permission is refused in a report to the secretary of state for communities and local government Ruth Kelly.

Ms Kelly said the proposal would provide additional housing and remove unsightly disused silos from the sight.

However, her conclusions included how existing land could be developed to create employment and the proposed buildings would damage the townscape of this part of Gravesend.

It was announced on February 8 Ms Kelly had ruled planning permission should be refused.

Ravenblack Developments Limited was approached for comment but were unavailable today.