News

CONSERVATION PIECE

A street that was once Folkestone’s premier shopping hub has been declared a Conservation Area.

Tontine Street was the town’s leading retail street in the late 19th and early 20th centuries before the current shopping centre developed. Now its architectural character and historic importance in the history of Folkestone’s commercial development will be protected.

Property owners will not be able to alter buildings without getting planning permission from Shepway Council first. Tontine Street has extensive features like stuccoed facades, classical detail above shop fronts and original sash windows, but some original features have been replaced by modern additions.

�Extending Folkestone’s Conservation Area to include Tontine Street, Grace Hill and Payers Park will help to ensure that future work on the buildings is carried out sympathetically and the area does not lose any more of its unique character,� said council architect, John Gabbe.

In the 2005-2006 year the council hopes to work in partnership with English Heritage to introduce a Heritage Economic Regeneration (HERS) grant scheme that will offer grant aid to owners to encourage repair, restoration and refurbishment of their properties.