Loose Valley & Tovil Conservation Management Plan

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 Loose Valley, 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

Loose Valley Conservation Area has been recognised due to the significance of the mills along Loose Stream (which fed into the River Medway to the north), together with the associated grander houses and workers cottages. Now a green, this linear Conservation Area would have been a busy, industrial section, full of noise and activity.

Within the group of remaining (converted) mills is the GII* c.1800 paper mill, Hayle Mill, as well as a further two Grade II listed mills and further listed houses associated with the mills. It should be noted that much of the industrial heritage within Maidstone has been lost, and therefore this increases the significance of this Conservation Area.

Loose Valley Conservation Area was designated by Maidstone Borough Council on 21 June 2000. A comprehensive Character Area Assessment on the Loose Road Area was undertaken and formed an adopted Supplementary Planning Document in December 2008.

This is a valley formed of a high percentage of former industrial mills (originally a mix of corn and paper mills). The creation of the mills changed the line of the river to allow for mill ponds, some of which can still be seen today. The main character of the CA is then an industrial based character, though none of the mills are still in operation, with some mills lost and others converted into residential. The mills would not only have used the water to power them but would also have used the local supplies (such as corn, wood), connecting them to the wider landscape. The creation of the mills has also impacted on the appearance of the valley by the works to the Loose Stream and the levelling to allow for the construction of the large factories.

We would like your feedback on the draft Conservation Area Appraisal for Loose Valley & Tovil and the proposed extension to the conservation area (map) before a final version is adopted. We want to hear from as many people and organisations as possible; including residents, and individuals who work in or visit in the area.

How you can get involved

Review & Survey: Read the draft plan and take part in our short survey.

Public Exhibitions: Officers will be available from 3pm to 6pm on each day to discuss the draft plan and take your feedback.

• 4 November - Loose Pavilion, Walnut Tree Way, Maidstone ME15 9RG
• 11 November - 1 St Stephens Square, Tovil, ME15 6RE

Consultation closes:14 December 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 Loose Valley and Tovil Conservation Area is due to be considered by the Planning and Healthier Stronger Communities Policy Advisory Committee in February 2026.