Call for shopping parade to be listed
ajsmith@thekmgroup.co.uk An historic shopping parade could be given extra protection against unwelcome redevelopment, if a request for it to be listed is accepted.
The Bearsted and Thurnham Society has submitted a 31-page document in support of its application to Historic England (the new name for English Heritage) for The Parade at The Green in Bearsted’s conservation area to be listed.
The move follows a proposal from freehold owners Evenden Estates last year to redevelop it to provide new stores and flats.
The society’s treasurer Roger Vidler said: “It’s nearly six months since the village gathered in protest against the planning application to demolish The Parade. We have prepared a comprehensive case for listing. The Parade is a rare survivor of purpose-built village shops with a colonnade that has remained virtually unchanged for more than a hundred years.”
The submission charts the history of The Parade since it was built by retailer John Perrin in 1882, when Bearsted’s population was only 620. The shops had to be rebuilt in 1900 after a fire. But today it still retains a number of unique characteristics. Principally there is the concave lead sheetwork canopy, but there are additional features such as the six piers of salt-glazed coloured brickwork and a tessellated tiled floor at one of the shop entrances. The canopy is supported by castiron columns with capitals featuring small gargoyles.
The listing application is supported by former MPs Sir Hugh Robertson and Ann Widdecombe and by KCC leader Paul Carter.
It is expected Historic England will take several months to decide on the application. Meanwhile Evenden Estates has withdrawn its original application.