They are priceless but at the moment some of Maidstone’s ancient monuments and parkland are valued at the princely sum of just £1.

The County Town’s war memorials, the cannon in the lower High Street, Maidstone, and the Queen’s Monument in the upper High Street, Maidstone, plus 450 acres of historic parkland in Mote Park all currently have the nominal value placed on them.

Under new rules, set to be brought in next year, Maidstone council will have to value all its heritage assets – which will run into millions.

The council will next year need to work out a cost for everything it owns – right down to each tiny artefact housed within Maidstone Museum in St Faiths Street.

A spokesman for Maidstone council said the nominal accounting fee reflects the fact there is no commercial use for them.

He added: “For insurance, we use what it would cost to rebuild them.”
The council is currently awaiting guidance on how to set about valuing its heritage assets.