Bearsted’s bid to have its historic shopping parade declared a listed building has failed.

The Bearsted and Thurnham Society, who submitted the application to Historic England, heard this week that the request had been denied. Society secretary Mary Richards said the decision was a “huge disappointment”.

Historic England agreed the shopping parade had a unique history. Originally known as Chestnut Place, it was built in 1901, and operated like a department store, with a single business selling a range of goods from discrete departments.

Historic England said: “It would be unusual on the small scale and village context of The Parade.”

But, it added: “The building’s fabric does not distinguish it from a more typical shopping parade.”

The decision leaves the way clear for the redevelopment of the building.