Progress is being made on Maidstone’s High
Street Design Competition.
Additions to the original design include a
water feature at the lower end of the High Street, seating areas by
the Town Hall and feature lighting on some of the buildings. These
and other modifications have been worked on by the winning
architects Letts Wheeler.
Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Cllr
Malcolm Greer, explains how the competition is developing.
He said: “The designs for the new look High
Street, Bank Street, Middle Row and part of King Street are being
refined following consultation with stakeholders and will continue
to be refined as a programme of consultations take place over the
next six months. Letts Wheeler are doing an excellent job and some
of their additions will be great in our High Street and will help
put Maidstone on the map.”
One change in the design includes a water
feature proposed within the plinth for the cannon, as well as this
is it also proposed the plinth for the cannon is moved to align
with Middle Row. It is also planned to have a series of ‘rooms’
created in the space in front of the Town Hall, each will
incorporate a tree, seat, light and bin.
Cllr Greer added: “These rooms will make a
great feature at the top of the High Street. We also have tree
planting to extend across the junction with Week Street, King
Street and Gabriel’s Hill.”
Currently the feasibility of the design is
being tested and the next few months will see CCTV drainage and
RADAR ground penetrating investigations take place and shortly
trench pits will be dug to check the location and condition of
utility pipes and cables, voids and chambers under the
ground.
Vacant retail units in the area will soon
have their empty shop windows dressed to show full colour images of
the new street scenes and commercial agents are using the new
images to promote the town to prospective retail occupiers and
investors.
Cllr Greer added: “This continues to be an
exciting time for Maidstone and its High Street.”
Date:
October 2, 2009
Ref:
KS/091003