Extension and homes planned for town church

Plans have been submitted to transform a town centre church – marking the first alteration to the site in more than 500 years.

Bosses at St Mildred’s in Tenterden want to add an extension to the facility's north side, which will host a diverse community space serving the town and surrounding villages.

This ambitious project will see the addition of a modern kitchen, much-needed toilets, a versatile meeting room for smaller events, and a Benefice Office to serve nine parishes in the area.

Martin Vink leads the Church's Transformation Team and said he was excited to reveal the latest proposal.

He said: “We are ecstatic to finally unveil the results of over a decade of hard work and dedication.

“The transformation project represents our unwavering commitment to serving the needs of our community and ensuring that St Mildred’s remains a vibrant and relevant asset for generations to come.

“We believe this will benefit our congregation and become a cornerstone of community life.

“We invite everyone to join us in celebrating this milestone and look forward to its positive impact on our community.”

Fundraising is underway to raise the money to afford the planned extension for the church.

But additionally, plans have also been submitted for the

Vicarage, next to St Mildred’s, where three two-storey detached houses could be created, as well as a 20-bay church car park.

The houses would be built on land next to the church, replacing rundown Glebe Hall, at the end of Church Lane, which will be demolished as part of the proposal.

The Diocese of Canterbury has promised net proceeds from selling the housing plots

to the extension project.

This revised application was submitted in February and has been supported by Tenterden Town Council. More than 60 comments in support have also been submitted to the council from the public.

Price Whitehead is the chartered surveyor behind the extension plans for St Mildred’s .

Helen Whitehead, MD, and Price Whitehead founder, said:

“When designing this space, we kept the community's needs at the forefront of our minds and developed a design that would balance functionality with heritage and form.

“It has been an exciting and brilliant project to work on, with an enthusiastic and fully engaging client.

“I really hope the PCC and St Mildred’s church receive the support they deserve to progress the scheme.”

Improvements have been happening at the church for the last 12 years, including a scheme in 2018 to remove the pews and replace them with removable seating. Plans were also approved in 2021 to add a new heating system, with work set to begin before June this year.

Plans for the proposed extension and the three new homes have been submitted to Ashford Borough Council.

Picture: Price Whitehead A CGI of the proposed extension for St Mildred's church in Tenterden, where a community hub is planned