A PLANNING application has been submitted for a regeneration project which includes a 100m tall apartment block.

The 32-storey building is part of a £150m project which would be built within the heart of Gravesend's Heritage Quarter.

Developer Edinburgh House Estates Ltd is also proposing to build walkways leading to the river, underground car parks, a new town square, a hotel, restaurants and offices.

The plans are part of the developer's idea to bring the focus of the town back to the waterway.

They consist of 120,000sq ft of retail space and 30,000sq ft of leisure and office space.

Edinburgh House managing director Tony Quayle said: "This is a major opportunity for Gravesend to emerge from the shadows of its neighbours and to reaffirm itself as a major retail and leisure destination."

The developer has the support of Gravesham Council, and if planning permission is granted it says the scheme will create around 1,000 jobs.

If given the go-ahead, the project will be built in two phases - the eastern and western quarters.

The eastern quarter, which is situated between St Andrew's Gardens and the market hall, will consist of the riverside apartment block and a new town square.

Around 230 flats will be on offer in the block, which will also have restaurants and cafes at the front.

There will also be a 40 to 60-room hotel and around 200 further apartments.

The second phase, the western quarter situated between Bath Street and the high street, will consist of a five-storey retail extension to the existing St George's shopping centre, office space and around 200 apartments.

Subject to planning approval, work is expected to start on phase one early next year, for completion in early 2011 and the whole scheme should be complete by 2013.