Otham Conservation Area Appraisal 2024
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 Bearsted, 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 Otham, and provides a framework system to ensure that this character is protected or enhanced. The Otham 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).
Otham Conservation Area was designated by Maidstone Borough Council in 1977 and the appraisal was adopted in 2009. The area has three distinctive character areas; Green Hill, Stoneacre and Otham Street.
Despite its proximity to Maidstone, Otham village maintains a rural, agricultural character that is visually connected to its past economic prosperity. Its link with quarrying is not only seen in the undulating landscape, but also indirectly in the high number of high-status timber-framed dwellings. The agricultural economy that became the mainstay of the village in modern times is still very much a part of the village character as a number of the historic farms remain. The buildings that arose from this economy are also largely intact and the relatively low amount of 20th-century intrusions results in Otham’s distinctive rural character.
We would like your feedback on the draft Conservation Area Appraisal for Otham before a final version is adopted. We want to hear from as many people and organisations as possible; including Otham residents, and individuals who work in or visit.
How you can get involved
Review & Comment: Read the draft plan and comment below.
Public Exhibition: Attend our public exhibition on 29 January 2025 at Otham Hall, Otham Street, Otham ME15 8RN.
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 Otham 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
Otham Conservation Area was designated by Maidstone Borough Council in 1977 and the appraisal was adopted in 2009. The area has three distinctive character areas; Green Hill, Stoneacre and Otham Street.
Despite its proximity to Maidstone, Otham village maintains a rural, agricultural character that is visually connected to its past economic prosperity. Its link with quarrying is not only seen in the undulating landscape, but also indirectly in the high number of high-status timber-framed dwellings. The agricultural economy that became the mainstay of the village in modern times is still very much a part of the village character as a number of the historic farms remain. The buildings that arose from this economy are also largely intact and the relatively low amount of 20th-century intrusions results in Otham’s distinctive rural character.
Green Hill
The predominant character of Green Hill today is still that of a working landscape as it is surrounded by fields and pastureland. Houses and agricultural buildings are densely packed together, giving a strong sense of their interconnection. However, high hedges occasionally impose on a sense of unity.
Stoneacre
This part of the Conservation Area provides a glimpse of past estate landscapes with its agricultural buildings and landscape centred around the mediaeval manor house. By its isolation it maintains this character and despite the house being opened to the public seasonally one day a week as a National Trust property, it is still clearly a working landscape.
Otham Street
As the spine of the Conservation Area, Otham Street is the setting for a variety of building types that chronicle its history as a self-sustaining, rural village. The working landscape is ever present, with fields beyond the dwellings and pastureland along Otham Street itself. Evidence of related industries such as the maltings and forge and more recent institutions like the school, post office and institute is present in the architectural fabric. There is no commerce today within the Conservation Area.
We welcome your comments on this plan by 9 March 2025.
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