Fuller Long assist with proposals for the replacement of a derelict 19th century barn within the control of Maidstone Borough Council in Kent

Fuller Long were instructed to assist with proposals for the replacement of a derelict 19th century barn as part of a wider planning application for the redevelopment of a site within the control of Maidstone Borough Council in Kent.  

The existing barn was ring fenced for conversion to community use however its condition was very poor and the work required to convert it would have been prohibitive to achieve this goal.  The development site is located adjacent to a Grade 2 Listed Building and therefore needed careful assessment to ensure consideration was given to the protection of its setting. 

Following a site inspection, historic research and map regression, our team of heritage professionals produced a thorough Statement of Significance which assessed the architectural and historic merit of the building.  We were able to demonstrate that overall the building was of low significance and where historic fabric did survive it was of low status and degraded due to weathering and vegetation.  The proposals were justified in relation to the requirements of both Maidstone’s local planning policy and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), including the need to secure ‘public benefits’;

“Where a development proposal will lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal including, where appropriate, securing its optimum viable use.” (NPPF, p57)

Our research and subsequent heritage statement was able to justify the loss of the building as an on balance, we were able to demonstrate that the new community building would not only be fully contextual in terms of its scale, design and materials but would not result in any harm to the setting of the adjacent Grade II listed building or negatively impact upon any local views within the surrounding area.  

To discuss your project with one of our experienced team of consultants please contact us on 0203 823 6661 or email us at hello@fullerlong.com

To see more on the NPPF visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-planning-policy-framework–2