Big plans for Palace
Listed building could be turned into hotel or wedding venue
A Maidstone landmark could be transformed into a hotel, dedicated wedding venue or restaurant under new plans.
The Archbishop’s Palace, once the domain of the most powerful clergyman in the land, is designated as the region’s register office.
However, when the lease expires next year Maidstone Borough Council, which owns the 14th century listed building, has big ideas for the riverside site.
Possible options also include a mixed use featuring office space, or turning the historic house into a conference centre.
A historic home and popular wedding venue in the heart of Maidstone could be transformed into a hotel. Consultants are looking at potential uses for the Archbishop’s Palace in Mill Street after its lease expires next October. It is owned by Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) but let to Kent County Council, which uses it is a register office and for inquests and citizenship ceremonies.
Last night (Wednesday) members of MBC’s policy and resources committee heard the latest on a review of council assets.
Papers from the meeting suggest the 700-year-old building, constructed as a residence for the Archbishop of Canterbury, has a number of potential futures, including a mixture of a hotel and offices, a wedding and corporate venue, a restaurant and offices or a conference centre. Nothing is set in stone yet and any change of use would need prior approval.
Mark Green, MBC’s director of finance and business improvement, said: “We’ve got consultants in who are doing an assessment on what work would need to be done to bring the building up to scratch for whichever use.” The Tyrwhitt-Drake Museum of Carriages will have to be factored in to any future plan, as the 14th century building was built as the stables for the palace, for when the Archbishop was travelling between Canterbury and London.
The manor itself backs onto the River Medway. Mr Green said: “The river is such a great asset for Maidstone, anything that we can do to integrate the Archbishop’s Palace with the river and the riverside, we should be doing.” Architectural work will now investigate the potential for converting the buildings, as well as the viability and cost. This summer the Kent Messenger launched its vision for the town, campaigning for planners to start looking to exploit the Medway, pointing out the potential for a floating market, restaurant complex and destination walkway. KCC has earmarked Oakwood House as a possible new home for its adoption, coroners and adult education services when the lease expires on the Archbishop’s Palace.