Comment on the Draft Conservation Area Appraisal for Otham
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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