St Columba's Close
St Columba's Close is a landmark development for Gravesham Borough Council, delivering 46 new homes in a well-connected location with a strong focus on sustainability, design quality, and community benefit. Now under construction and due for completion in summer 2026, the scheme will provide much-needed housing while setting a new standard for environmentally responsible development in the borough.
- Status: Onsite see the latest update
- Location: Gravesend, Kent
- Client: Gravesham Borough Council
- Architect: BPTW
- Contractor: Oakwood Building Contractors Ltd
- Expected completion: Autumn 2026
About the development
St Columba's Close is a major new Council development currently under construction in Gravesend, delivering 46 high-quality new homes for local residents. Commissioned by Gravesham Borough Council, the scheme includes a mix of 1, 2, and 3-bedroom flats and maisonettes, as well as 3 and 4-bedroom houses, designed to meet the growing demand for affordable and sustainable housing in the borough.
The development replaces four former buildings on the site, which have now been demolished. In their place will be two apartment blocks, a terrace of houses, and a block of maisonettes, all arranged to create a well-integrated and attractive residential environment.
Site context
The site is located between Valley Drive, St Dunstan’s Drive, St Patrick’s Gardens, and St Columba’s Close, in a well-established residential area of Gravesend. The location benefits from good access to local amenities, schools, and public transport, making it a convenient and desirable place to live.
The layout includes vehicle and pedestrian access, landscaped amenity space, and car and cycle parking for residents.
Design and architecture
Designed by BPTW, the scheme has been carefully planned to complement the surrounding neighbourhood while introducing modern, energy-efficient homes. The buildings feature a mix of traditional and contemporary materials, with attention to detail in the façades, rooflines, and landscaping.
The development includes private gardens, shared green spaces, communal landscaping an external trim trail for the wider estate to support community interaction.
Construction and sustainability
St Columba's Close is the first Gravesham Borough Council development to move away from fossil fuels as a heating source. Instead, the site will use a ground source heat pump system, providing a more sustainable and energy-efficient solution for heating across all homes.
This shift supports the council’s wider sustainability goals and reflects a commitment to reducing carbon emissions and future-proofing new housing stock.
Environmental impact
By eliminating gas and introducing a renewable heat source, St Columba's Close sets a new benchmark for low-carbon housing in the borough. The use of ground source heat pumps will reduce reliance on fossil fuels and help residents benefit from lower energy bills and improved environmental performance.
This development is part of a broader strategy by Gravesham Borough Council to deliver climate-conscious housing that meets the needs of today while planning for a more sustainable future.
Addressing the housing need
When planning permission was granted in 2023, the council highlighted the importance of the development in addressing local housing need.
Welcoming the decision, Cllr Jenny Wallace, Gravesham Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing Services, at the time said:
“These much-needed new council homes will be just the latest in our programme to build hundreds of such homes.
They will be available for people on our housing register, where we currently have more than 1,000 households waiting for homes to become available, and for tenants living in unsuitable housing.”
Permission for the St Columba’s Close plans came as the first tenants were preparing to move into the council’s previous development of 16 new flats at Valley Drive.
“We know we have so many local people patiently waiting for somewhere to call a home of their own".
Funding
St Columba's is partial funded from Home England, which is the first Gravesham Borough Council housing development to receive grant funding from Homes England.
Latest update
The council’s flagship development of 34 flats, 6 houses and 6 maisonettes.
- Roof truss works commenced on Blocks A & B
- Terrace of houses now watertight, with first fix mechanical underway
- Expected completion: Autumn 2026