Social media rumours and “outlandish theories” surrounding the progress and future of a multi-million-pound regeneration scheme have been refuted.
It had been claimed The Charter, in Gravesend town centre, had been sold off and earmarked for asylum-seekers, wasn’t structurally sound and had been built using the wrong concrete.
The flagship redevelopment forms part of Gravesham council’s overhaul plan for the town and includes a new multi-storey car park as well as 242 apartments.
However, the chairman of Rosherville Limited, the local authority’s commercial trading company, Jamie Izzard, has now addressed the “outlandish theories” shared on social media.
In a statement released today (May 2), he said: “As we have consistently said, The Charter is not being built by, is not owned by, and is not being made available to Lewisham Council or any other local authority, London-based or otherwise.
“Nor will the apartments be available to accommodate asylum seekers.
“There are no tunnels, smugglers’ tunnels or otherwise, beneath the development, threatening the foundations.
“The foundations themselves are sound, none of the construction is misaligned, and whilst there will need to be some remedial works to the interior and exterior of the building due to water ingress, there is no requirement for the concrete frame to be taken down.
“The structure already built is not leaning, and the top two stories do not need to be removed.”
The chairman also addressed rumours which had circulated over works progress.
“Construction did not stop because asbestos was found in the ground,” he added.
“There has been no use of incorrect concrete, RAAC or otherwise, during construction.
“Construction stopped purely and simply because our original contractor ceased trading and it has taken time for us to find the right partners to take the project on.
“As we get closer to completion, the apartments will be marketed locally first to give Gravesham residents every opportunity to make their home at The Charter.”
It comes as enabling works restart on the development, which will create 242 flats and a multi-storey car park, ahead of the resumption of main construction in the coming weeks.
Construction stopped in June after the scheme’s original contractor, Henry Group, fell into administration but initial works restarted two months later.
Mr Izzard added: “Given the challenges facing the construction sector at the moment, together with our development partners Reef Group, we have been taking great care to find the right people to take on the development on.”
Work is expected to be completed in early 2026.
The project, divided between plots on the former Market Square and Horn Yard car parks, was granted planning permission in 2020.
The town centre development is a key part of the council’s master plan to breathe new life into the area.
