The future of a 14th century palace could be decided by councillors next month.

Last year KentOnline revealed Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone could be turned into a hotel, a restaurant or offices.

A study looking at the palace's future, baring in mind neighbouring All Saints Church and the Carriage Museum opposite, has been prepared and councillors are set to be told what options are most suitable next month (February).

Maidstone Borough Council says it will present the report to councillors "informally".

Mark Green, MBC's director of finance, said: "We're going to be canvassing members to get their views next month.

"If there's a clear consensus we'll get them to formally make a decision, at that stage there would almost certainly be some kind of consultation as any change would need a planning application."

While the public could respond to a planning application, it would only come after a future use for the old palace has been decided.

To let the public decide its future would need a different approach.

Mr Green explained: "Obviously we will rely on experts for technical proposals but it's up to members to decided what is the most appropriate solution.

"It's quite possible we could hold a public consultation, if members have no clear view on what to do with the palace they may well look at what the public thinks we should do.

"We want something that everybody in Maidstone will feel positive about and proud of."

Kent County Council leases Archbishop's Palace from Maidstone Borough Council to use as a registry office and the county's coroner's court.

That lease is due to expire in October 2020.

KCC has already started moving inquests away from the site in preparation.

Borough council documents published last year suggest Archbishop's Palace, originally built as a stop for clergy travelling from Canterbury to London, could be used turned into a mixture of a hotel and offices, a wedding and corporate venue, a restaurant and offices or a conference venue.

Mr Green added: "There's nothing at this stage that looks like the obvious solution.

"We're exploring whether there is interest out there for each possibility. The decision on whether we were to operate it or someone else would be a secondary decision."

Read more: All the latest news from Maidstone.