Swale's hidden heritage

150 landmarks in Swale have made it onto a new list of important local heritage sites.

Swale Borough Council has been working with people and groups across the borough to create – for the first time - a comprehensive list of buildings, structures and green spaces that are important to Swale’s local heritage.

The list, made up of over 150 buildings, landmarks, green spaces and more, highlights the positive contribution they make to the unique and special character of the borough.

The council asked local people to nominate places to be included on the new local heritage list and more than 300 nominations were received.

The nominations were then assessed to make sure they met the necessary criteria to be included on the list, which considered their age and integrity, as well as their historic and architectural interest, with a particular local emphasis.

The sites on the list have been given the status of non-designated heritage assets, making their conservation a material consideration in any planning applications.

Cllr Mike Baldock, Swale Borough Council’s heritage champion, said:

“We are fortunate to live in a borough that has boasts a unique combination of historically and architecturally important buildings, landmarks and green spaces.

“They might not reach the nationally set benchmark for grade I or II listing, but they do have special interest or value to our local area - these sites are integral to what makes Swale, Swale.

“We want to make sure we protect our diverse range of heritage assets and creating this list is a way for us to keep them safe from irresponsible and harmful development.

“Being on the list will not only be taken into account when considering planning applications but will also – for the first time – create an accurate record of our heritage assets.

“We are very grateful to our residents who have helped us make this list, we needed to hear from you what local sites are important to you and now we can formally recognise their importance to the borough.”

In Sittingbourne the art deco cinema building on the high street and the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, which dates back to 1862, have been included on the list.

A World War I pill box near Bobbing, which formed an important part of the local defence network, and the Hartlip Endowed C of E Primary School, which is believed to be one of the oldest existing voluntary aided schools in the country founded in 1678, are also on the list.

Sheerness’s Water Tower on Trinity Road, built in 1860 and used as a water pumping station, and the small Bethel Congregational Church, established in 1801, have also met the criteria to be added to the heritage list.

The Pavilion Building, which serves as the island's information centre, an Arts Award centre and a community radio station, has also received recognition for its heritage importance.

Faversham’s pool, the post office - with its unique copper roofing - and the Edwardian red brick-built police station are amongst the important landmarks added to the list in Faversham.

The remains of the entry arrangement to the Oare Gunpowder Works, now a country park, have also been added to the heritage list.

Watch the video to learn about some of these assets:

The local heritage list shown at the Policy and Resources Committee on Wednesday 27 November can be seen here.

The finalised list will be available on our website soon.

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