1. Applicants will be expected to ensure that new development affecting a heritage asset incorporates measures to conserve, and where possible enhance, the significance of the heritage asset and its setting. This includes responding positively to views of and from that asset. This also includes the potential public benefits from development impacting a heritage asset.

2. Where appropriate, development proposals will be expected to respond to the value of the historic environment by the means of a proportionate Heritage Assessment which assesses and takes full account of:

3. Where development is proposed for a site which includes or has the potential to include heritage assets with archaeological interest, applicants must submit a proportionate assessment by way of an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation. This will be used to inform development and identify opportunities to enhance awareness, understanding and enjoyment of the historic environment to the benefit of the community.

4. The council will apply the relevant tests and assessment factors specified in the National Planning Policy Framework when determining applications for development which would result in the loss of, or harm to, the significance of a heritage asset and/or its setting. This includes applying this policy to non-designated heritage assets where a balanced judgement will be required having regard to the scale of any harm or loss and the significance of the heritage asset.

5. In the circumstances where the loss of a heritage asset is robustly justified, developers must make the information about the asset and its significance available for incorporation into the Historic Environment.

For more information, please visit Maidstone’s Local Plan Maidstone Borough Council Local Plan 2021-2038