Parsonage Place, Otham
Planning and commissioning for a distinctive new development
FrancisKnight, have been appointed by Bellway Homes, to produce a public art delivery plan for Parsonage Place, Maidstone, Kent. The delivery plan supports a full planning application for a distinctive and high-quality development of 421 dwellings with a mixture of affordable homes and private sale, and a landscape framework comprising of a network of open spaces and landscaped buffers.
The site itself is a single arable field, bound by trees and hedgerows. A Public Right of Way passes through this area, from Church Road, at its Eastern end, connecting to an area of open space outside the Northwest corner of the site. To the North of the site is the Grade 1 listed St Nicholas Church and Grade II listed Church House.
Rob Turner, a Kent-based artist has been commissioned to develop public artwork with a focus on the surrounding landscape of the site and the retained views of the Church. Community engagement will be a key element within the public art approach.
Primary school children at Madginford Primary School, and Senacre Wood Primary School, have been getting involved in the creation of the public art that will form the permanent artworks, due to be installed at the new housing development from 2024.
A press release was issued by Liberty PR on behalf of Bellway – read more here.
As part of the research process for creating permanent public artworks at Parsonage Place, a community map of Otham and the surrounding area was developed through a collaborative process with local people, led by Rob Turner. The process was very inclusive and community contributions revealed local history and heritage, strengthened local identity and brought the community closer together.
The community map of Otham is now on tour and can be viewed at the following locations:
- Downswood Community Centre – 6th November 2023 to 2nd January 2024
- Senacre Wood Primary School – 3rd January 2024 to 13th April 2024
- Stoneacre National Trust Property – 14th April 2024 onwards