Guiding design principles and considerations

When developing their proposals, Competitors will need to consider:

• Maidstone’s role as Kent’s County Town and the need to design a distinctive scheme which, whilst encompassing the practical considerations below, will leave a lasting positive impression on all those using it.
• The maintenance and enhancement of physical and visual linkages with the historic parts of the town centre.
• The River Medway, which should become more of a focal point so that people become more aware of its presence and access to the river is improved. 
• The function of the High Street by day and night throughout the year.  Design proposals should reflect the 24/7 economy of the town centre.
• Both the street level and higher elevations.  Clarity of design is sought, with the removal of, or disguising of some street clutter such as the British Telecom access     chambers at the corner of High Street and Mill Street.
• How the space can be improved to support existing and potential new functions (e.g. café culture, additional space for al fresco dining, performing arts, outdoor trading etc).
• Existing pedestrian and vehicular movement and whether this could be altered to create attractive new public spaces capable of multi-purpose use throughout the year.  The competing demands of pedestrians, vehicles and traffic need to be rebalanced.  Entrants may wish to explore recent developments in highways management - for example the successful implementation of shared surfaces.
• The needs of retailers and other businesses - for example customer access and deliveries.
• The needs and access requirements of pedestrians, cyclists, disabled people and disabled drivers.
• That any colour themes proposed for the High Street must respect those of the buildings within the Conservation Areas and complement the Maidstone corporate blue motif used for signage etc in the town centre.
• Environmental sustainability (material selection, use/conservation of water and energy), which should be an integral part of the design solution.
• A practical design solution with emphasis on manageable life-time costs.  On-going maintenance costs need to minimised for Kent County Council, Maidstone Borough Council, the utility companies and others with equipment and property in the area.
• The performance of all proposed materials - particularly their ability to be easily cleaned (withstand staining, abrasive cleaning etc) and projected lifespan.  This should encompass both the hard- and soft landscaping elements (for example easy restoration of the former after having been taken up, and automated watering of the latter etc).
• The introduction and provision of well designed, robust and DDA compliant public conveniences to cater for both day-time and evening use.
• The inclusion of public art as an integral part of the scheme.  This could take the form of surface finishes/treatments and street furniture, as well as stand alone works of specially commissioned art.

Constraints and opportunities

• The existing Maidstone Market will remain at Lockmeadow, but there may be scope for the provision of occasional farmers and/or continental style markets in the re-designed High Street.
• Buses must stay in the High Street and the arrangements for bus passengers should be maintained or enhanced.  The location of the taxi rank and disabled parking can be reviewed.  The Highway Authority’s view is that the design must comply with normal safety requirements.
• Since the Competition Zone lies within Maidstone Centre Conservation Area, any proposals which would affect the trees will need to be notified to the Borough Council, which could take up to 6 weeks to determine.  The most important trees are considered to be the 2 Planes at the lower end of the High Street and 2 Planes at the upper end of the High Street.
• The relocation of the Queen’s Monument and the Cannon - within the High Street - will be considered.  It should be noted that any such proposals would require a decision from the Secretary of State, which could take anything between 3 and 6 months to obtain.
• A temporary canopy of lights is erected in the Upper High Street each Christmas.
• There is a potential development opportunity in the form of the readjustment of the EDF electricity sub-station and Council owned public conveniences situated adjacent to the Clock and next to the river.
• An opportunity exists for the improvement and revitalisation of the subway access to the river from the Lower High Street.  Competitors should note that planning permission has recently been granted for two new hotel developments on the opposite side of the River Medway, so this entrance portal to the High Street will take on increased significance in the future.