People in Maidstone have jumped at the opportunity to share their views on how to breathe life back into historic Gabriels Hill and Lower Stone Street.

Maidstone Borough Council is leading a team of residents and traders who are applying for
£2 million in Heritage Lottery funding.

More than 1,400 people completed an online survey, while families were asked about the project at a Maidstone Museum-run fun day on Gabriel’s Hill, the scene of the bloody Battle of Maidstone during the English Civil War.

It is hoped by securing the grant, alongside £3m the borough council has pledged towards the project and a revamp of the north of Week Street, the dilapidated part of town will get a much-needed makeover.

Lower Stone Street has become synonymous with the town’s crumbling ABC Cinema and Stone Court Hotel in recent years, while many of the shop fronts towards the bottom end of Gabriels Hill are far removed from the street’s history.

Funding will allow planners to reveal the rich history and could see shop fronts restored and old buildings brought back to life.

Cllr David Pickett, chairman of the council’s heritage, culture and leisure committee, said: “The response to the survey by the people of the borough has been terrific and will be a huge help to us when we submit the bid.

“Residents are able to say how they feel about the area and list their priorities for improvements; for example repaving with traditional materials, creating outdoor areas and reintroducing traditional storefronts.

“We want views from as wide a range of people as possible and would particularly like to hear from more men and people aged 75 and older.”

The council will now review the responses and submit the bid for funding next month with a decision due in January.

It will then have a year to come up with a detailed plan, talking to as many people as possible before submitting a second application. Work could start from April 2018.