How can the space around the Guildhall in Faversham be improved?
How can the heart of the town look more attractive to residents and visitors alike?
How can vehicles be prevented from parking outside and blocking the view of the historic Guildhall?
How can outdoor dining be better accommodated?
How can more safe space be made for pedestrians?
In response to these questions Morrison Brink Stonor Architects has developed a proposal to extend the stone plinth beneath the Guildhall, thereby removing the space available for vehicles to park there. And we’ve added planters to further dissuade drivers.
This is a first sketch of the design concept. The planters could be differently shaped. They could be replaced with bollards. They could incorporate benches. There could be more of them or fewer of them. They could be on lockable wheels. Or the market could work around them.
There will be a cost to extending the plinth but the planters could be put in place first.
It’s a vision of how Faversham could be. And of course it’s a pleasant alternative to painting double yellow lines around the Guildhall, lines that won’t even stop vehicles parking in front of the Guildhall because Blue Badge holders will still be able to park on them.
Next steps are to consult with the Town and Borough Councils, Faversham Society and people generally. We’ve taken some initial soundings and had positive responses. Quite rightly several people said this could only go ahead if it didn’t interrupt the market. We have had an initial meeting with the Market Manager and the idea was well received since it makes the market bigger and better by removing vehicles and parking.
Tim Stonor for Faversham 
Brilliant idea…
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Brilliant idea which would even benefit the market and actually create some structure to the square and make the Guildhall a focal point which it it does not have now; it is just an island surrounded by nothing…
Win Win….
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This is exactly what’s required – brilliant ! Planters are ideal, and much more creative than bollards .. When I came here 15 years ago I seem recall a town with flowers and planters everywhere. It really was a joy to walk from where I was then living up West St to the centre
Over the past few years,benches have been decimated much to the detriment of the town.The reasons and excuses for this, in the main are quite unacceptable As many as possible I think, should be replaced. I see so many elderly people struggling in the heat with nowhere to rest their bones unless they’re forced into a cafe to spend money simply in order to be able to sit for ten minutes or so and catch their breath.Benches are surely vital in a market town such as Faversham for the enjoyment of all. If problems occur they are generally in the minority and it’s wrong to remove them and deprive the majority.
I note that on market days we now have ‘seating for eating’, which is
fine -if you want to eat! What if you simply want to sit down and rest!
This might also be an opportunity to ban anything other than trade vehicals from entering the square from the Court St end which is nothing more than a short cut for most vehicals.In the absence of a gate keeper, it might be an idea to have an electronic gate which operate on a ticket basis ie, all street traders could be issued with passes to enter, free of charge..
I further think that some of the huge lorries which come into the town should be charged a toll, the takings from which could go towards the upkeep of the roads which they undoubtably damage during the course of a year.
In spite of the no entry sign at the begining of West St I’ve seen vehicals driving, and or, reversing down the st street. Most of the shops have rear entrances and the lack of use of this alternative is pure laziness.
Currently the Square is a mess and the yellow lines have failed. The way to aviod yellow lines is to have a traffic free centre.
The other thing badly lacking is enforcement of the laws within the town, which allow people to do as they please, and I know from experianced that there’s nothing worse than having a quite coffee in the square whilst being subject to vehical exhust!
The plan you provide is a great start to a cleaner and better Faversham. Thank you.
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Well done Tim, I love the idea of the flowing lines a lot like the creeks waters edge, we could carve sites of interest in the paving for visitors to follow, like the beautiful floor in Bluewater. The benches would be great too!
Ben Martin
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