Protecting the heritage of Bexon
Published
Monday 16 February, 2026
Updated
Monday 16 February, 2026
Swale Borough Council has added new protections for a historically important area in Sittingbourne thanks to public feedback.
The council’s Policy and Resources Committee agreed to designate a new conservation area surrounding the hamlet of Bexon, near Bredgar, to preserve its special character, and make sure any future changes are sympathetic to its significance.
Bexon has become the 52nd Conservation Area within Swale.
Despite the medieval village’s small size, it contains five well-preserved Grade II and Grade II* listed buildings - Bexon Court*, The Malthouse, an ancient barn, Yew Tree Cottage and Bexon Manor - which the original farming settlement would have been built around.
There is a variety of traditional building styles which reflect the history and development of the areas, boasting a unique mix of thatched roofing, timber framing and red brick, and sits within the beautiful Kent Downs National Landscape.
The idyllic village is named after the manor’s fourteenth century owners the Bexon family, believed to originate from the word “Baxon”, or bakestone which is used for baking over an open fire.
Cllr Mike Baldock, Swale’s Heritage Champion, said:
“We are committed to protecting and enhancing our important, and incredibly unique, heritage across the borough.
“One way for us to achieve this is through our conservation areas, which offer special protections, and we have been reviewing their management plans to make sure they are working to safeguard our historical assets.
“We are excited to announce that we have created a brand-new conservation area for Bexon, which is home to several fantastic, well-preserved, listed buildings that offer a window into what life was like for the people of Swale through the ages.
“By covering Bexon for the first time, we are demonstrating our commitment to our heritage everywhere - regardless of the size or location of the area.
“We will now have authority over most demolitions and have more control over developments, which will need to preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area.
“Thank you to everyone who gave us the feedback and local knowledge needed to create these policies which helps protect our history for future generations.”
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 designation 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
- the need to consider 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.
