Conserving historic areas near Faversham
Published
Thursday 4 September, 2025
Updated
Thursday 4 September, 2025
People can have their say on how best to manage three historically important conservation areas near Faversham.
Swale Borough Council has been reviewing the existing conservation areas in Graveney and Goodnestone as part of their commitment to deliver their adopted heritage strategy.
A consultation is now open on the Graveney Bridge Conservation Area, Graveney Church Conservation Area and Goodnestone Conservation Area.
The public’s input will be used to see if their boundaries should be made bigger, to incorporate more areas of local importance, including:
- the area around the Church of All Saints, Graveney
- the area around the Four Horse Shoes Inn, Graveney
- the orchards near Head Hill Road, Goodnestone
The name Graveney is believed to originate from the Old English words ‘grafa,’ meaning ‘trench’ and ‘ēa,’ meaning ‘river’.
Evidence of the village’s medieval farming history is scattered throughout the area, along with the discovery of the most well-preserved Viking ship in England, the Graveney Boat, which dates to the early 9th Century.
The Grade I Church of All Saints and the Grade II Bridge House are standout architectural and historical assets and are important features of the two conservation areas within Graveney.
Goodnestone’s name originates from Godwineston or "the farm of Godwin," reflecting its rich Saxon heritage, but evidence of human settlement goes all the back to prehistoric times, with a hand axe being found in the area.
The Grade I Church of St Bartholomew demonstrates the areas medieval history, while the Grade II Oast House Complex stands as the sole remaining structure from what was once a flourishing hop-growing industry in the region.
Cllr Mike Baldock, Swale Borough Council’s Heritage Champion, said:
“Graveney and Goodnestone hold rich historical significance, offering a window into rural English life across centuries.
“This includes evidence of prehistoric life, roman artifacts, Viking invasion, existing medieval churches and buildings, all the way to more recent history with signs of the once thriving hop industry in the area.
“These conservation areas help us protect the character of our history and heritage rich areas from low quality or irresponsible development and has real bearing on our planning decision making.
“That is why we want to hear from you, as your local knowledge will help us make sure the conservation area boundaries incorporate and reflect the true uniqueness and importance of our beautiful villages like Graveney and Goodnestone.”
Conservation areas are deemed to be areas of architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance.
This includes special protections, such as:
- the council having authority over most building demolitions
- the council having additional control over householder development
- trees within conservation areas being safeguarded
- considering the importance of preserving or enhancing the character and appearance when reviewing planning applications
- implementing policies that actively promote development that preserves or enhances the character and appearance of the conservation area
Each conservation area has a character appraisal and management plan, which is used to inform planning decisions, planning policy making, and proposals that enhance or regenerate the conservation area.
The consultation will end on Monday 10 October.
