Detling Conservation Area Appraisal 2025
What is a Conservation Area?
The Borough's 41 Conservation Areas have special value for local communities.
Conservation Areas are visible links with our past and offer attractive contrasts to modern environments, and so it is important to ensure that the special character of areas such as Detling, are protected and sympathetic enhancements are encouraged. Local distinctiveness can provide a catalyst for regeneration and inspire well designed new development. The Council has a duty to review existing Conservation Area designations from time to time to ensure they are up to date and relevant.
The provisions for conservation area designation and management are set out in legislation. Conservation Area requirements are included in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Under section 71, local planning authorities should formulate and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of conservation areas and consult the public in the area in question, taking account of views expressed. Section 62 requires local planning authorities to review existing conservation areas, and to add more conservation areas. Section 72 states ‘special attention shall be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area’.
Click here to read the draft plan.
Why we are consulting
The proposed Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan (known as CAAMP) recognises and summarises the significance and character of Detling, and provides a framework system to ensure that this character is protected or enhanced. The Detling CAAMP follows the advice set out in Historic England’s guidance note: Conservation Area Appraisal, Designation and Management Historic England Advice Note 1 (Second Edition).
Detling Conservation Area was designated by Maidstone Borough Council in 1970 and the appraisal was adopted in 2007. The original pattern of development of the medieval village is a simple linear one along The Street which until recent years formed part of the main route from Maidstone to Sittingbourne. A small amount of development also took place along the Pilgrims Way, particularly to the east, but the concentration of buildings along The Street indicates that this formed the main route from the earliest time of the village’s development.
We would like your feedback on the draft Conservation Area Appraisal for Detling before a final version is adopted. We want to hear from as many people and organisations as possible; including Detling residents, and individuals who work in or visit Detling.
How you can get involved
Review & Comment: Read the draft plan and comment below.
Public Exhibition: Attend our public exhibition on 5 February at Detling Village Hall, Pilgrims Way, Detling, Maidstone ME14 3EY.
Officers will be available from 4pm to 6pm to discuss the draft plan and take your feedback.
Consultation closes: 9 March 2025
What next
All responses to this consultation will be analysed and your feedback will be used to shape the final plan.
The final Management Plan for the Detling Conservation Area is due to be considered by the Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development Policy Advisory Committee in April 2025.
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Comment on the Draft Plan
Detling Conservation Area was designated by Maidstone Borough Council in 1970 and the appraisal was adopted in 2007. The original pattern of development of the medieval village is a simple linear one along The Street which until recent years formed part of the main route from Maidstone to Sittingbourne. A small amount of development also took place along the Pilgrims Way, particularly to the east, but the concentration of buildings along The Street indicates that this formed the main route from the earliest time of the village’s development.
The Street itself is more or less continuously developed between the parish church at its southern end and the cross roads with the Pilgrims Way at its northern end. However, there is a marked difference between the character of development on its eastern and western sides, probably explained by the fact that the west side of The Street comprised the original manorial site.
Consequently, the western side of The Street is generally developed at a lower density with buildings set back from the road and with trees forming dominant features. The more intensively-developed eastern side of The Street features generally smaller properties on smaller plots, set either right up to the road or behind small forecourts.
The north-western quadrant of the junction of The Street/Pilgrims Way/Detling Hill remains underdeveloped, although originally it formed part of the grounds of the Victorian mansion of Lynchfield, demolished circa 1960 to make way for the Detling Bypass.
We welcome your comments on this plan by 9 March 2025..
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