Public Realm Design Guide Contents Page

Executive Summary 3

Introduction 4 - 5

Definition of Public realm 6

Conservation Areas 6

Maidstone’s History 7

Public Realm History 8 - 9

Understanding Maidstone 9

The Zones 10 - 25

Overarching Themes 26 - 28

Acknowledgements 29

2 Executive Summary

Maidstone Borough Council is ambitious in its and the High Street, as well as the forthcoming aspirations for the borough, its people and the programme of improvements and redevelopments town centre. It recognises that the public realm of major sites due to be delivered between now and plays a vital role in creating a sense of place 2031. with connections to local historic and cultural elements as well as providing a safe and attractive It recognises that Maidstone town centre has environment for the public who visit, live and work many urban characteristics and works as a set in Maidstone. of interconnecting zones. The guide focuses on connectivity and upgrading the environment and The Public Realm Design Guide sets out the takes a common sense approach to materials as council’s intention to create a cohesive town centre well as advocating that embedded public art is a with an integrated approach to achieving high key strategy in highlighting local distinctiveness. quality public realm. It complements and builds on the improvements to date, such as Jubilee Square

3 Introduction

Background Both priorities have clear public realm and pedestrian links to the public realm, by: environment as identified in the Maidstone Town Centre is Infrastructure Delivery Plan; undergoing a programme of • Creating a more coherent public realm improvements way of dealing with art and 2. Development in the town and redevelopments of major public realm. centre should: sites between now and 2031. This guide was commissioned • Creating a more attractive i. Demonstrate a quality of by Maidstone Borough Council place. design that responds positively and it supports the Economic to the townscape, including Development Strategy, the Scope of the Guide ensuring the conservation Destination Management Plan and enhancement of the town and the Culture and Heritage The scope of this guide relates to centre’s historic fabric; Positioning Statement. the public realm located within the town centre boundary of ii. Contribute to the priority The emerging Local Plan for Maidstone, as defined in Policy public realm and accessibility Maidstone Borough provides SP4 of the Maidstone Borough improvement schemes for the the following vision: Local Plan 2011 - 2031. town centre identified in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan. By 2031 a regenerated and The Local Plan sets the sustainable Maidstone town framework for development The Infrastructure Delivery centre will be a first class in the Borough, outlines the Plan identifies a number of traditional town centre at the Council’s vision for the town specific schemes to improve heart of the 21st Century County centre and establishes strategic the public realm and pedestrian Town that has maintained its policies to deliver this vision. environment in the town centre. place as one of the premier town A number of these schemes are centres in Kent by creating a Policy SP4 Maidstone town centre already being delivered, and it is distinctive, safe and high quality sets out a number of policies anticipated that the remainder place. directly relevant to the delivery will be delivered over the course of public realm improvements in of the Local Plan period. This Maidstone Borough the town centre, including: document can therefore guide Council’s Corporate the design and delivery of these Priorities are: 1. The regeneration of Maidstone and other public realm projects town centre is a priority. This will located within the town centre. • Keeping Maidstone Borough be achieved by: an attractive place for all. vii. The retention of the best • Securing a successful environmental features, including economy for Maidstone the riverside, and delivery Borough. of schemes to improve the

4 Objectives of the Research Status of the Guide Design Guide This Guide draws upon many This Guide is recognised by • To direct the development other reports and studies and is Maidstone Borough Council and of accessible, sustainable, intended to be used in parallel was approved by the Heritage, high quality redevelopment with them. These include: Culture and Leisure Committee and improvement schemes in November 2016. It has been that upgrade the town centre • The Kent County Council produced for council officers, environment and public Design Guide. developers, contractors and realm. stakeholders. • The Destination Management • Highlight Maidstone’s Plan. Developing the Guide industrial and historical heritage into the public realm • Town Centre Study 2010. This guide has been developed design as a priority. by consulting with key • Maidstone Borough Local Plan stakeholders, including Maidstone • Use a common palette of high 2011 - 2031. Borough Council Officers, quality materials to avoid a Town Centre Ward Councillors, fragmented approach to the • Economic Development Maidstone Borough Councillors, town centre. Strategy 2015-2031. Heritage, Leisure and Culture Committee, One Maidstone1 • Ensure the conservation and • Maidstone’s Culture and and the Town Centre Strategic enhancement of the town Heritage Positioning Advisory Board2. centre’s historic fabric. Statement 2015.

• Create clear boundaries and • Strategic Plan 2015-2020. functional spaces to assist with connectivity. • Conservation Area Appraisals.

• Improve pedestrian and cycle • The Green and Blue access between the town Infrastructure Strategy. centre and the river.

• Integrate public art, as a key strategy to help animate and enhance local distinctiveness.

5 Definition of Public Realm

The public realm is defined as the This guide focuses on four Conservation Areas public spaces between private aspects in the town centre: buildings. These spaces will Streetscapes, Public Places, Parks Adopted Character Area normally be usable by the public & Gardens and the River. Appraisals Supplementary either explicitly or permissively Planning Documents detail the and includes all exterior places Streetscapes definition: The locally distinctive character of that are accessible physically visual elements of a street and an area, and offer guidance on and visually including land in open space that combine to form improving the quality of an area. private ownership to which the the street’s character; buildings, public is afforded access. Other roads, pathways, street furniture Several Conservation Areas have elements can include streets, and planting. been designated within the town pavements, squares, parks, centre: bridges, waterfronts, landmarks Public Places definition: Visible and any public and civic building areas within a community setting • All Saints Conservation Area. and facilities. open to the public or for public • Maidstone Centre gathering. Conservation Area. ‘It is often in the spaces • Holy Trinity Conservation between buildings where Parks and Gardens definition: Area. human activity and social Public open spaces within • Maidstone Chillington House interaction take place. These a community setting for Conservation Area. spaces should be designed recreational use. or adapted to respect or Conservation area appraisals enhance a street’s sense of River definition: All land areas help preserve and enhance the place’ Publicrealm.org along the water’s edge. conservation areas in Maidstone Town Centre. The public realm plays a vital role Street furniture and public in the social and economic value art are also included within the of communities. It can provide public realm and are covered in meeting places, contemplative the Street Furniture Guidelines and resting areas, create a sense (Appendix 1) and Public Art of place with connections to local Guidance (Appendix 2). historic and cultural elements as well as a safe and attractive environment for the public who visit, live and work in the borough.

‘Visitors want to enjoy the public spaces in towns’ Maidstone Destination Management Plan 2015

6 Maidstone’s History

Maidstone has a colourful history The cluster of Grade I listed shaped by battles, revolts, religious buildings by the witches, mad priests and later, riverside is particularly notable, industrialists, brewers and with the Archbishop’s Palace, the Victorian benefactors. Tithe Barn and All Saints Church. Completing this nationally Understanding the story of significant complex of medieval Maidstone’s industrial, cultural architecture is The College of All and historic heritage is an Saints partly Grade I with the important aspect in defining Master’s House Grade II* listed. the character of public realm in Maidstone town centre. Chillington Manor, now the Maidstone Museum and Bentlif Historically, Maidstone grew up Art Gallery, sits at the heart as a transport hub, where the of the town and is one of the Roman road linking Rochester finest museums in the south with the port of Lympne crossed east, with internationally the confluence of the River Len significant collections, especially and the River Medway, and where Ethnography, Japanese these important waterways could Decorative Arts, Ancient Egypt, be forded or bridged. Archaeology and Costume. The museum boasts among more The rivers became both sources than half a million artefacts and of power for milling and other specimens including the only industrial processes and human mummy in Kent. transport conduits to London and further afield. Key industries that have thrived in the town include: thread The Saxon village that grew up making, paper making, barge on the banks of the Medway making, milling, distilling and became a prosperous medieval brewing, all of which made trading station and its historic use of the river. A good deal wealth is reflected in the fine of trade also passed through collection of heritage buildings the town, including corn, hops, that characterise Gabriel’s Hill, fodder, fruit, stone and timber. Jubilee Square, Bank Street, The quarrying of building stone Week Street, Earl Street and around Maidstone has always other parts of the town centre. been important and continues even today.

7 Public Realm History

Maidstone was a recognisable Maidstone experienced significant town by 1200 when the High rebuilding and new building Street and market place were during the 18th Century, and possibly developed. By the early as a result the importance of 14th Century it is thought that retailing to the town increased the population of Maidstone considerably. had reached about 2,000. Occupations recorded for the The town has had a right to a population around this time gaol since 1614, and the present include tailors, shoemakers, prison was completed in 1819 skinners/tanners, barbers and is located in the north of the and masons. The range of town centre. tradesmen suggests a thriving town catering for many of the By the late eighteenth century needs of its inhabitants and of the dominance of the river the surrounding rural hinterland. for travel was beginning to It is probable that the first be challenged. By the 19th bridge over the Medway from century, Maidstone was served the bottom of the High Street by frequent coach services to was built sometime during the London and the Medway towns. 14th Century, replacing the old The medieval bridge at the foot crossing near All Saints’ Church. of the High Street was widened in 1808 to ease traffic congestion By 1446 it is known that Middle at the sole river crossing into the Row had been developed, town. infilling the central market space of the High Street. Gabriel’s Maidstone West Station was Hill and Wren’s Cross are also opened in 1844 and Maidstone first recorded by their modern East Station in 1874. names during the 15th Century. There are two principal railway Maidstone’s charter was first stations: Maidstone East which confirmed in 1549. connects with London and Ashford; and Maidstone West The importance of Maidstone which is on the Medway Valley as a trading centre increased Line. significantly during the 17th Century. Key industries included thread making, paper making and brewing, all of which made use of the river.

8 There has been a military 1960/70/80s. Today, the western presence in the town since 1797, side of the River Medway is when army barracks were first predominantly home to recent built. Maidstone Barracks railway development consisting of large station is located on the retail sheds and residential Medway Valley Line to the north apartments. Developments in of Maidstone West Station, and the town centre include Fremlin was opened in 1874. Walk and residential apartments adjacent to Brenchley Gardens. The River Medway runs through the town centre, linking Tourism panels installed in 2016 Maidstone to Rochester and the throughout the town centre by Thames Gateway. The river has Maidstone Borough Council map historically been responsible for out a historic route including the growth and development of references to the town centre’s Maidstone, due to its capacity to role in pivotal moments of transport goods both into and out English history such as Wat Tyler of the town. and The Peasants’ Revolt 1381 and The English Civil War in Understanding Economic activity along the 1648. Maidstone River Medway greatly expanded in the 17th Century. Several Maidstone town centre has many riverside industries were urban characteristics, defined in particularly important to the this guidance by zones. Each historical development of the zone is made up of layers of the town, including brewing, milling, area’s cultural and industrial distilling, and barge building. heritage, of which the current patterns of use are the most By the late nineteenth century, recent. industrial development occurred along both sides of the river, The characteristics, assets and including timber yards, gas works features of the public realm and breweries. within each zone are described with the objective of providing Development continued useful guidance within each throughout the Victorian, inter- character area, while giving war and post war periods and design teams creative freedom a number of office and retail based upon their own site developments in the town analysis and guidance. centre were completed in the

9 Shopping

10 The Shopping Zone

Maidstone town centre is a significant shopping destination, offering a predominately outdoor, street-based shopping environment. The town centre has a good mix of retail with major, national retailers in Week Street, with a particularly concentrated offer in Fremlin Walk, the southern end of Week Street and The Mall, the town’s main indoor shopping centre.

The local independent shops are principally found within the Royal Star Arcade and along Gabriel’s Hill, Pudding Lane and Union Street. These shops add to the town centre’s distinctiveness and grain and rhythm of the existing Now an exclusive shopping complement the mainstream townscape and that good quality arcade, The Royal Star was shopping offer. building materials should be once Maidstone’s leading hotel, used, preferably those which are frequented by the gentry during A larger retail zone sits on the currently predominant. Further the town’s Georgian heyday. west side of the river. These guidance on materials is detailed Princess Victoria stayed here in units are close to the core of the in the individual Conservation 1836. In 1837 on winning his town centre with routes across Area Appraisals. first seat in Parliament as the the river for walkers and cyclists. town’s M.P, Benjamin Disraeli These routes are indirect and Assets addressed the electors from its limit the potential for sustainable balcony overlooking the Town linked trips. The shopping zone is Hall on the High Street. characterised by significant Character Area Guidance cultural & historic assets. These Week Street, the main shopping include: street provides some notable Parts of the shopping zone fall examples of pargetted houses within the Maidstone Centre • The Royal Star Arcade (no’s 55-57), which date back Conservation Area, as a large • Gabriel’s Hill to 1680. Pargetting, a term number of buildings are included • The Town Hall describing the use of external on the List of Buildings of Special • Hazlitt Theatre lime plaster in a decorative Architectural or Historic Interest. • Jubilee Square manner with incised or moulded This defines local character and • Fremlin Walk surfaces. It would be carried out architectural interest of the area • Market Buildings on new buildings as well as when which covers Bank Street, Middle • Rose Yard old plaster began to decay. Row and the south side of the High Street between the top of Features Fremlin Walk shopping centre Bank Street and the junction with itself was built on the site of Gabriel’s Hill, Market Buildings/ The shopping zone features a Fremlin brewery, owned by Earl Street area and Gabriel’s mix of chain and independent Ralph Fremlin, who by 1861 Hill/Lower Stone Street. shopping with two retail malls was Kent’s largest brewer. (Fremin Walk & The Mall), a Fremlin’s connections in East For the purposes of this design historic market at Lockmeadow India were symbolised by guide the Conservation Area and a monthly farmers market his trademark elephants and Appraisals for Maidstone held in Jubilee Square. weathervane, examples of which Town Centre advise that new are on permanent display in the development will need to adhere shopping centre. to the established historic building lines and respects the

11 The Shopping Zone

Shopping Zone connection at junctions between: Shopping is one of the Top Opportunities Week street and Earl Street; 3 factors influencing a visit Union Street and Week Street; to Maidstone (Visitor Profile, The following investment Brewer Street and Week Street. Destination Management Plan). opportunities in the shopping The gyratory road system zone can progress the aspirations Improvements and developments segregates the main shopping of the Public Realm Design in the shopping zone should, area in the town from the larger Guide. where appropriate make visible retail zone on the west side of or reference the streams and the river. The Maidstone Bridges Improvements around Maidstone rivers on which the town centre Improvement Scheme will help East Station should help to has historically grown up. northbound traffic on the A229 create a new gateway and to avoid the existing gyratory arrival/departure point for Year round cultural and arts system. This should open up the town centre. Public realm events should be developed pedestrian access and help the improvements should ensure within the public realm, which regeneration of the western they retain and build upon actively encourages opportunities riverside. Maidstone’s cultural history for locally based artists and crafts and distinct identity. This people. Fremlin Walk is one of the should be reinforced through Top 5 attractions (Destination wayfinding and where possible Family friendly environments that Management Plan) for visitors commissioned public art encourage people to spend more to Maidstone, however the town which has a dual functionality. time in the town centre should centre is perceived as incoherent Examples include paving details, be a consideration in the public and disjointed, segregated from seating, drainage covers, and realm overall. the river. The tourism agenda bollards. Street furniture should recognises the significant historic follow the Street Furniture Negatives and cultural references to the Guidelines (Appendix 1). town through strategically placed The streetscape is generally in interpretation panels. Walking Phase 3 Improvement Works to need of renewal across areas maps available at Maidstone the north end of Week Street and that have not been redeveloped. Museum encourage people to Gabriel’s Hill should contribute There is a patchwork of materials move around the town centre. to the restoration of Gabriel’s where repairs and maintenance Hill and Lower Stone Street to dominate the floor plane its former position as one of the particularly along Week Street. town’s principal public areas. The newly completed Jubilee Square and Lower High Street Connectivity should activate and improves this palette but lacks enhance the shopping zone with character and identity. natural squares that form a linear

12 13 River and Green Spaces

14 River and Green Spaces Zone

Maidstone town centre’s key and now forms a large mill pond • River Medway and River Len asset is the River Medway, a on the corner of Mill Street • Baltic Wharf high quality green corridor that and Palace Avenue, which is a • Whatman Park flows to the West of the historic prominent and integral feature of • Brenchley Gardens core of the town. The River the landscape of Maidstone. The • Trinity Park Len, a tributary of the Medway River Len continues to stream • Archbishop’s Palace and also enters from the East but is into the Medway via Mill Street Gardens concealed below ground through connecting the riverside through • Methodist Church, Brewer most of town. Palace Gardens which features Street mature landscaping. • Mill Pond, Mill Street Maidstone town centre has a • The Lamb Inn, Fairmeadow select number of attractive The Archbishop’s Palace a 13th (renamed Cork and Cask accessible green spaces. They Century building was built on House) are made up of the formal land owned by the Archbishops of garden of Brenchley Gardens Canterbury from the 8th Century Features adjacent to Maidstone East and sits on the banks of the River Station, Trinity Gardens and a Medway. The River Medway is a prominent larger urban park located in the feature that attracts a diverse North West of the town centre, Fairmeadow was mainly used as range of river based activity from called Whatman Park. There a livestock market. Traditional canoeing and rowing, a unique is also a green area called the fairs continued to be held on floating restaurant next to the Maidstone River Park that fringes Fairmeadow into the early 20th Archbishops’ Palace to one-hour around the Archbishop’s Palace Century until they moved to boat trips taking in the sights and Gardens, All Saints Church, Lockmeadow. A bowling green along the route. Fairmeadow and the Hermitage was laid out on the King’s Millennium Amphitheatre. The Meadow in 1642, and in 1699 a Across the river Medway is River Park is a 10km walk along tree-lined and railed public walk the Maidstone Bridge first the River Medway from Teston was laid out along the river. built around the 14th century Country Park through Maidstone’s to give more direct access to town centre, to Allington and Brenchley Gardens is a public the commercial heart of the Kent Life. park of 2 hectares, laid out to town in the High Street than the 1871 plans of landscape the previous crossing by ford, Character Area Guidance designer Alexander McKenzie adjacent to All Saints Church. (1830-1893). It is made up of The current bridge was built in The River Medway is an area of an ornate square of open lawns, 1877-79 to the designs of Sir peace and tranquility, where the flower gardens, paved paths and Joseph Bazelgette, engineer of river corridor acts as a contrast a Victorian bandstand. There are the Thames Embankment and with the urban townscape, and two prominent monuments in the London Sewage System, and serves as a wildlife corridor by the gardens, one of which is a lies slightly to the north of the linking urban habitats with the piece of the roof of the Houses original bridge. The bridge had to countryside beyond. of Parliament in London, and be widened again in 1926. The Cenotaph War Memorial, Historically the influence of the designed by nationally renowned The Hermitage Millennium River Medway is very strong architect Sir Edwin Lutyens Amphitheatre is an outdoor to Maidstone, with its position (1869-1944). venue built of brick and Kentish as a port of great importance. ragstone that sits on the Records show the riverside Assets banks of the river close to the crowded with wharves and Lockmeadow Millennium Bridge industrial premises. Most trade The river/green zone is and the Archbishops’ Palace. was with London with sailing characterised by its natural barges carrying hops, paper, landscape features and an Whatman Park lies at the heart fruit, cloth, corn, leather, and attractive towpath, with buildings of the Millennium River Park just wool and ragstone. of special architectural or historic half a mile from the town centre. interest. It is an 18 acre site and The ‘hidden’ River Len was used combines a natural landscape of to drive numerous watermills

15 woodland and wildflower meadow will also be installed on Lower history and distinct identity. This with adventure play areas, a High Street and the riverside of should be reinforced through treetop walk, skate park and Fairmeadow. wayfinding and where possible river stage open-air performance commissioned public art. arena. Pleasure boats can stop Enhancing cycle connectivity is at Whatman Park Wharf. Artist an important part of the River Landscape design and David Annand was commissioned Medway Cycle Path Scheme management should reflect to produce a public art sculpture which is currently underway. The Maidstone’s heritage as a green for the park. The Double Helix scheme will provide a new shared town dominated by parks, – the structure of DNA, is more use towpath, encouraging cycling gardens and street trees and than 60 yards long and 10 feet and walking with direct routes for with an intimate connection to high. cyclists and pedestrian to access the surrounding countryside. the town centre. The route itself Fairmeadow was an important Opportunities runs from Allington Lock to site where traditional fairs were Barming Bridge, and is due to be held until the early 20th Century. The opportunity to bring the constructed late Autumn 2016. Wildflower planting alongside under-utilised rivers back into the riverside and highway verges the heart of the town can help The public realm particularly should be coordinated in the to progress the aspirations of along the waterfront should interests of helping to establish the Public Realm Design Guide reflect on the riverside’s a distinct identity. Street trees through the following investment historic era through heritage should be increased to ‘green’ opportunities to the town Centre: preservation, respecting iconic the town centre and help to landmarks and developing more adapt to, and mitigate against, Phase 3 Improvement Works cultural functions and character poor air quality. to Gabriel’s Hill, these public such as riverside cafes. A venue realm improvement works for the arts and cultural events Negatives should reference the River Len would enhance the area. as it enters the town centre. The relationship between the This should be reflected through Where a continuous route river Medway and the town is public art such as embedded text alongside the river path is poor and fractured with the or pattern work into the surface unobtainable, improvement and river often hidden or obscured. plane and hard landscaping. proposals should seek to provide Recent developments fail to a pleasant, green and accessible make the most of the riverside Re-imagining of the green public realm. Lighting and an and provide an attractive setting corridor and improving access improved wayfinding strategy with a number of buildings through pedestrian and cycle such as green/art themed trails, turning their back to it, creating way routes should enhance information points, signage inactive frontages. connectivity and provide green would improve a more joined up links to the main shopping experience and create linkages to Fairmeadow also creates a streets and Whatman Park. the existing green spaces and the barrier between the river front Entrance points such as a new town centre. and the town centre. Flooding pedestrian crossing should be from the River Medway has considered to address the lack With the Phase 3 Improvement been a major issue for the of pedestrian access to Fremlin Works to Week Street, the use lower High Street and subways Walk from the west and any of functional public art could have acted as conduits for the further proposals for the town reference green elements with flood water to travel through, centre. features such as living walls, tree making public access prohibitive. planting and use of high quality However the gyratory public Current public realm works materials to enhance the natural realm works will permanently fill being completed as part of the squares and create connected two of the existing subways as Maidstone Bridges Improvement green links. they are no longer a desirable Scheme will create a more route for pedestrians and other desirable route for pedestrians Public realm improvements non motorised users. The third with better crossings, around Maidstone East Station subway will be fitted with a flood continuation of the materials should help to create a new gate. The public realm works palette with the use of granite gateway and support and will provide new drainage and (as seen in the public realm improve connectivity. The an improved pedestrian crossing schemes phase 1 & 2) and new newly developed public realm including the continuation of tree planting. New finger posts should ensure they retain and granite used during Phase 1 & 2 directing pedestrians to the river build upon Maidstone’s cultural improvement works.

16 17 Leisure and Culture

18 Leisure and Culture Zone

Maidstone town centre supports Character Area Guidance Assets a wide range of leisure, cultural and tourist attractions. It has a The majority of the cultural and • The Hazlitt Theatre and Corn high concentration of clubs and tourist facilities are based around Exchange bars, restaurants and live music the historic core of the town • Bandstand & War Memorial - venues and has a reputation centre. The public realm features Brenchley Gardens for a lively and safe night time wider pavements particularly • Museums – Maidstone economy. along Earl Street, which Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery encourages the restaurants to and the Tyrwhitt Drake The Hazlitt Theatre, the recently spill onto the pavements creating Museums of Carriages extended museum on St Faith’s a buzz of outdoor activity. Some • Kent History and Library Street and the Archbishop’s of the more established/chain Centre Palace and All Saints Church restaurants have sympathetically • Gallagher Stadium (home to the south, complements the converted historic buildings to to Maidstone United, and offer. bring them into contemporary just outside town centre use. Reasonably priced boundary) Lockmeadow is the town’s accommodation supports the • Lockmeadow Complex – major leisure and entertainment mix along with sports facilities cinema, bowling, restaurants complex and caters for family such as fitness clubs, gyms, and historic market activities whilst Earl Street has 3G football ground, river based become a particular focus for activity and a tennis centre. restaurants and cafés.

19 Leisure and Culture Zone

Features Earl Street) should activate Year round cultural and arts and enhance the network of events should make use of the The Hazlitt Theatre, formally alleyways and corridors joining improved Jubilee Square, to a concert hall, was erected in smaller streets to promote actively encourage leisure and 1869 and is named after William economic and cultural activity, culture opportunities for locally Hazlitt, born in nearby Rose improve footfall, quality of based artists and musicians. Yard, who found fame as an environment and connectivity. essayist, art critic and artist. This should be in form of a Regeneration of the west side pedestrian link towards the of the river should connect Earl Street features significant medieval complex around All pedestrian and cycle routes back buildings, most notably no’s Saints Church and the Rootes into the town centre. A new 31/33, a double-fronted town Building (Len House and Peugeot crossing should be considered to house owned by Andrew Garage). further develop the cultural offer Broughton, Mayor of Maidstone. and character. In particular a Broughton was Clerk to the Attention should also be given venue for the arts and cultural High Court and signed the death to Market buildings, High Street, events would enhance the area. warrant of King Charles I in Middle Row, Bank Street, Rose 1659. When the monarchy was Yard and Gabriel’s Hill their Negatives restored in 1660, Broughton was activation through commercial charged with regicide. He fled activity, public artworks and The streetscape here is and spent the rest of his life in improved lighting. generally in need of renewal, exile in Geneva. materials are fragmented with The night-time economy patchwork repairs and a low No 32 Earl Street, constructed in concentrates activity on Earl visual quality. Street furniture 1882 as the Conservative Club, Street, the north end of Week is tired and mismatched and in features over its entrance a Street, High Street, and Gabriel’s some places broken, there is a carved head of Benjamin Disraeli, Hill. This zone attracts late night general need to declutter. This once MP for Maidstone. In 1837, users leaving nightclubs and lack of investment is becoming the year of the Queen Victoria’s bars who use a series of quiet noticeable in contrast to the accession, Disraeli was first corridors and alleyways with re-landscaping of the completed returned to Parliament for the reduced footfall making them areas of Jubilee Square and the Borough of Maidstone and lived, more vulnerable to street crime. High Street. as Lord Beaconsfield, to be the Public realm improvements Queen’s trusted Prime Minister. should ensure good through The Lockmeadow complex is visibility and activate routes with located close to the core of the Opportunities good passive surveillance. town centre, however routes across the river and gyratory Investment opportunities in the A number of buildings in this system for walkers and cyclists Leisure and Culture zone can area mark their importance are indirect and create a barrier. progress the aspirations of the with historic plaques. Further Public Realm Design Guide. improvements in this zone should consider lighting as a way to Improvement works for Phase highlight and reflect its distinct 3 (Week Street and Gabriel’s heritage and identity. Hill) and Phase 4 (potentially

20 21 Historic and Heritage

22 Historic and Heritage Zone

Maidstone’s heritage and historic The Medieval Complex consisting Maidstone Museum & Bentlif offer is found in its streetscapes, of the Archbishop’s Palace and Art Gallery is largely housed in buildings and river corridor. All Saints Church sits along the Chillington Manor, a fine example It includes a collection of fine banks of the River Medway, of the domestic architecture of Grade II and Grade II* heritage with the Tithe Barn (Maidstone the late Tudor period. buildings found in Gabriel’s Hill, Carriage Museum) Jubilee Square, Bank Street, St Peter’s Church, the oldest Week Street, Earl Street and Assets church in Maidstone established other parts of the town centre. in the mid C13 as the chapel for The Medieval Complex of Grade • All Saints Church a hospital for pilgrims travelling I listed religious buildings can • Medieval Complex to Canterbury is a fine example be found by the riverside, most • Gabriel’s Hill of the treasured history that has notably, with the Archbishop’s • Lower Stone Street shaped the town. Palace, the Tithe Barn, All • Corpus Christi Building Saints Church and the College • Drakes The Town Hall a fine Georgian of All Saints. A handful of • Fairmeadow building dating from 1763, Grade II listed buildings, reflect • Trinity Church served many purposes as market Maidstone’s industrial heritage • Brenchley Gardens space, magistrate’s court, council and are prime for sympathetic • St Faiths Church chambers and gaol. In Jubilee conversion and re-use. • Maidstone Museum Square the statue of a young • County Hall Queen Victoria dating from 1862, Character Area Guidance • Maidstone Prison stands on the site of the ancient • The Town Hall market cross. Much of the historic and • High Street heritage zone falls within the • Law Courts The Corpus Christi, is a 14th Maidstone Centre Conservation • The river, its bridges and century building originally owned Area. Within the historic core banks by the Corpus Christi Fraternity, the High Street has recently • St Peter’s Church a society of local tradesmen who undergone regeneration (Phase • The Baltic Wharf regulated business, observed 1 & 2 improvements) with • War Memorials certain religious services and Remembrance Square in the provided for elderly and infirm Lower High Street and Jubilee Features members. The Fraternity lasted Square outside the Town Hall, in until 1547 when it was seized by the Upper High Street. Reducing The Nolan Statue is placed the crown during the suppression vehicle access has created a outside the former Ophthalmic of religious guilds. The town then new public space that has a Hospital, Wyke Manor Road, and bought the hall and it served as pedestrian-friendly environment, honours Captain Lewis Edward Maidstone Grammar School from providing seating and tree Nolan, who was the first soldier 1549-1871. planting and is now used for killed in the Charge of the Light events and activities. Brigade in 1854. Captain Nolan The two notable Grade II listed was Riding Master at Maidstone buildings in this zone are: To the east of the town centre is Cavalry Depot between 1841 and The Baltic Wharf, a former motor Sessions Square, a large paved 1854 and he attended the former vehicle factory on the west side pedestrian friendly public space Holy Trinity Church. of the river bank, is a grade II with seating and tree-lined areas. listed building built in 1917 by The area is dominated by County Wallis, Gilbert and Partners, Hall a neo-Baroque Façade and in collaboration with Truscon, home to Kent County Council for Tilling-Stevens Ltd. It is an head offices. Behind Sessions example of a factory designed House is Maidstone Prison, using the Kahn Daylight System designed by Daniel Alexander in and holds historic interest as the 1810. The prison is surrounded earliest surviving building by the by a large perimeter wall built practice, the foremost factory from Kentish Ragstone. architects of the inter-war period.

23 Len House and the Peugeot into paving details, seating, Garage (previously The Rootes drainage covers, and bollards. motorcar showroom and Street furniture should follow the workshop) was built in 1937-38 Maidstone colour palette of black for Rootes Ltd by Howard and and gold for the Heritage/Historic Souster, an architectural firm Zone. who specialised in industrial and commercial buildings and Coherence of approach and who undertook a number of design will be critical to the commissions for Rootes. The success of the public realm site, adjacent to a mill pond improvements at both the on the River Len, had formerly North end of Week Street been occupied by a tannery. The and Maidstone East station tannery buildings were acquired improvement programme. This by Rootes in 1917 and were later gateway into the town should demolished to make way for establish a sense of arrival and the new complex of showroom, entrance and incorporate a public filling station, workshops and art feature, seating, lighting offices. At the time of its opening and planting to further enhance in April 1938, the showroom the already pedestrian friendly was considered the largest and environment around Sessions most up to date in Kent; at night Square. 700ft of neon tubing outlined the frontage and spelled out the Public realm improvements name ‘ROOTES’ on the tower should demonstrate a quality of above the main entrance. design that responds positively to the townscape, including Opportunities ensuring the conservation and enhancement of the town There are the following centre’s historic fabric investment opportunities in the Historic and Heritage Zone, which The public realm particularly can progress the aspirations of along the waterfront should the Public Realm Design Guide. reflect on the riverside’s historic era through heritage Public realm works in Gabriel’s preservation, respecting iconic Hill as part of the Phase 3 landmarks and developing more improvement scheme should help cultural functions and character. to create attractive pedestrian links towards the medieval Negatives complex around All Saints Church and the impressive Rootes Although Maidstone offers a rich Building (Len House and Peugeot history much of this is dispersed Garage) which has been listed at across the town centre with Grade II since 2009. Public realm disjointed pedestrian access and improvements should ensure neglected street scene. they retain and build upon Maidstone’s cultural history and Much of the core of the distinct identity. town centre is prioritised for pedestrians but in places the Connectivity is key to improving quality of the surfaces and the visitor experience and street furniture have begun to providing clear accessible deteriorate and the connections pedestrian routes across the between different locations within town linking the disjointed the centre are not always heritage offer. Commissioned clear and legible. public art, which has a dual functionality, should be considered. Examples include trails and themes incorporated

24 25 Overarching themes

Connectivity across Events should be programmed river and provide areas for more the zones in areas where people naturally activities and animation that will gather such as Jubilee Square encourage visitors to discover the Strategically located wayfinding and Sessions Square to create town’s heritage and culture. should be used to connect the interest and increase footfall. zones and historic sites giving Soft landscaping in the public places a clearer identity. Responding to realm should be encouraged Maidstone’s heritage allowing for low maintenance Public art should be used to planting that reflects Maidstone’s assist in wayfinding with an Highlighting and integrating heritage, introducing wildflowers/ artwork embedded into the hard Maidstone’s industrial and historic meadow mixes and native trees. landscaping, seating, signage or heritage into improvements and lighting. (Please refer to Public new developments should be a Art Guidance Appendix 2) priority in public realm design.

Visual links should be made They may include references to: across the town through the • Eminent people who have use of greenspaces, planting, resided in the town and have defining gateways or natural contributed to significant squares in the public realm. changes in the world • Key events that have shaped Themed trails should assist in Maidstone’s history activating and enhancing the • Industries that have thrived visitor experience. in the town and contributed to different stages of the Direct footpaths for pedestrian town’s development. and cycle access should be created to connect the town Maidstone’s architectural and centre with the existing original features and assets green spaces and riverside should be respected and retained environment. and enhanced.

Improved lighting should be used Any new elements in the to highlight historic buildings as public realm should be bold, well as opening up the network contemporary interventions. of dark alleys and cut throughs between streets. Public realm proposals should reinforce emerging aspirations to connect the town centre to the

26 Continuity and Considerations Street Furniture Coherence Whilst developing the guide, Maidstone town centre is Continuity and coherence is stakeholders have defined some identified by a palette of blue needed in the public realm to common sense principles in and gold as a standard colour avoid a patchwork of approaches. making the most of the public for street furniture except in the realm: heritage zone where black and Each zone is not strictly defined gold is permitted. through its own distinct palette Tidy up – remove or replace of materials. Instead, new public broken street furniture. Street furniture must be realm must draw upon a common consistent in terms of materials, palette of materials to suit its Declutter – survey every piece finish and style. Even where locality and historic/cultural of street furniture and remove items are sourced from different references. redundant items. manufacturers, they should appear to be of a similar style Materials for all sites should be Rationalise – where possible and look. See Street Furniture selected for their durability and merge functions for example look Guidelines (Appendix 1). functionality as well as their at seating as a way of hiding appearance. utility boxes or combine signage Street furniture can be seen and lighting. as an artwork integrated into Materials sourced should be the public realm as well as readily available beyond the Maintenance – refresh tired being functional. Commissions life of the scheme to enable looking street furniture. Repair should take reference to cultural maintenance, repair and and maintain existing signs. and historic heritage where replacement of damaged areas. appropriate. Please see Monitoring – work with Street examples in Maidstone Borough The Conservation Area Appraisals Cleansing and One Maidstone Council’s Public Art Guidance provides guidance on materials, to encourage reporting or (Appendix 2). which vary considerably. The undertaking minor repairs as part zones have their own unique of their role in maintaining the qualities that can be developed public realm. to help give a sense of place. Design teams should use this as a basis for their own research.

27 Overarching themes

Shop frontages on the site now occupied by the Case Study: The Louis present Ladies department. Nolan Memorial Shop fronts across the town centre vary in the quality of their In 1845 workshops in Palace A bronze statue depicting Louis appearance. The appearance Yard were opened, where some Edward Nolan on horseback of shop fronts should fit into twenty craftsmen were employed forms a memorial placed outside their general surroundings and making half of the stock sold in former Ophthamic Hospital, adhere to the conservation the shop. About this time, the church Street, Maidstone. This areas and listed buildings legal famous 6 foot Wellington boot fine example of bronze statue, requirements and guidelines as was mounted on the front of black granite plaques and obelisk set out by Maidstone Borough the building. Most shoe shops of memorial made of Kentish Council Planning department. this period had this type of sign Ragstone and Clipsham stone outside, but few remain today. complements the palette of As part of public realm public realm materials within the improvements shop fronts Public Art in the regenerated site and the grade II should ensure a sensitive Public Realm listed building. choice to design and permitted use of material and colours. Maidstone Borough Council Louis Edward Nolan (4 January In addition a standard of has Public Art Guidance, which 1818 – 25 October 1854) was a maintenance should be adhered supports the view that public British Army officer and cavalry to and features of architectural art can contribute to, emphasise tactician best known for his significance should be preserved. and enhance Maidstone’s unique role in the Charge of the Light Lively and attractive shop heritage, cultural and natural Brigade during the Crimean War. window displays should be assets. Nolan was educated in Tulln, encouraged. where he was noted as an Artists should actively be enthusiastic horseman and Case Study: The Golden included in the designing of military theorist. His British Boot History the public realm so that their Army career divided between contributions are meaningfully Bangalor and Madras in India and The Golden Boot was founded in and sustainably integrated within the Cavalry Depot in Maidstone Maidstone in 1790. Today, seven the physical infrastructure of any where he trained as a riding generations on, it’s still in the improvement, development or master. hands of the same family and run regeneration scheme in the town by father and son team Lawrence centre. A trusted voice on cavalry Martin, Chairman and Edward matters, Nolan was dispatched to Martin, Managing Director. Please refer to the Public Art the Middle East in the early days The original site was at Number Guidance (Appendix 2) for of the Crimean War to hunt for 36 Gabriel’s Hill, opposite where guidance on definitions of public suitable horses. After returning, the present shop is now sited. art, commissioning, themes and he was attached to the staff of In 1845 the shop moved to maintenance. General Richard Airey, and in number 25 and then, 35 years this role delivered the order that later, following a disastrous fire led to the Charge of the Light at the premises of Mr Ralph’s the Brigade. grocers, the business was moved into the newly built premises

28 Acknowledgements

Further information:

1. One Maidstone1 One Maidstone is a Community Interest Company that is dedicated to improving the trading environment in Maidstone and in so doing enhancing the town centre for residents and visitors.

2. Maidstone Town Centre Strategic Advisory Board2 The Maidstone Town Centre Strategic Advisory Board is made up of representatives from the private and public sector. The board’s role is to support partnership working, stimulate investment and bring forward development in Maidstone town centre.

Archive images by kind permission of Maidstone Museum.

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