Conservation

Medway is an area rich in historic buildings and areas. There are 780 listed buildings, ranging from the castle and the cathedral to fine medieval and Georgian houses. There are also 26 conservation areas, which give protected status to areas such as the Historic Dockyard at Chatham, the centre of Rochester, rural village centres and areas of fine Victorian and Edwardian housing.

The Dockyard and its defences (including Fort Amherst and the Lines and Upnor Castle) are on the government’s tentative list of potential World Heritage Sites. Medway Council (in partnership with the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA), the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, and English Heritage) is developing a bid with residents, landowners and other stakeholders to be taken to the United Nations Educational, Social and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for the designation of the area as a World Heritage Site. Chatham's World Heritage application also has a dedicated website (www.chathamworldheritage.co.uk).

The Great Lines City Park project is associated with the World Heritage Site application This is based on the restoration of a unique historic landmark of the former defences of the Dockyard, centred around Fort Amherst and the field of fire of the Great Lines. The park will offer education, training, sports and recreation opportunities, combined with facilities for the performing arts.

Medway Council’s Design and Conservation Team can provide information and advice about the World Heritage Site, Great Lines City Park and listed buildings and conservation areas in Medway including:

• whether a building is listed or in a conservation area;
• repairs;
• internal and external alterations;
• whether listed building consent is needed for building work;
• advice on the design aspects of new buildings in conservation areas.

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