Plans are being drawn up for the continued protection of three conservation areas in rural communities near Maidstone.

Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) has published a draft conservation area appraisal and management plan for each of Yalding, Elmstone Hole and Harrietsham East Street and is now seeking the public's views on the documents.

In each case an assessment of the existing conservation area has been carried out, and proposals have been made for work to be carried out to maintain them.

Councils have a legal duty to designate conservation areas - defined as "an area of architectural or historic interest the character and appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance" - where appropriate.

Once the designation is made, the local authority has more powers to protect the area, for example through greater control of the demolition of unlisted buildings, restricted permitted development rights for single-dwelling homes and the protection of trees which form part of the character of the area.

There is also a presumption that developments which would not preserve or enhance this special character should be refused planning permission.

In Yalding, where there are a number of listed buildings around the High Street area, the action plans suggests some smaller works - such as reducing traffic and repairing areas of ragstone paving - as well as longer term efforts to reduce the risk of flooding in the conservation area.

Similarly, in Elmstone Hole and Harrietsham, there are a number of suggestions as to how the character of the conservation areas can be protected and enhanced.

The draft conservation area appraisal and management plans are available to view on the MBC website.

Comments on the documents can be sent to the conservation team by email or in writing to the council's offices at King Street in Maidstone.

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