29.04.2025
DHA Planning Group is pleased to have secured planning permission and Scheduled Monument Consent for the construction of a new country house, two 'gatekeeper' cottages, historic landscape restoration and the repair and restoration of the upstanding remains of the former Leeds Abbey (Kent), including the Dovecote and Slype.
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Where is Abbey Farm?
Abbey Farm sits between the two main areas that form Leeds village, and within an open landscape to the east of Lower Street (B2163), which runs through the centre of the village. The site is accessed from Lower Street via an existing gated access and driveway.
The site is approximately 9.5 ha, encompassing part of a Scheduled Monument, which comprises the above and below ground archaeological remains of the medieval Leeds Priory, with associated Slype, and site of the later 17th and 18th century Meredith Mansion (subsequently demolished) set within a landscape thought to have been created by Capability Brown (referred to as the “Brownian landscape”).
Immediately adjacent to the site beyond the northeast edge is the Grade II listed Abbey Farmhouse, dating from the late 17th century. The farmhouse is not part of the site, but the range of buildings within the northwest portion of the site were formerly associated with Abbey Farmhouse, and therefore lie within its setting and curtilage.
What is the history of the site?
The history of the site dates back to the 12th Century when Robert de Crevecouer built a castle at Leeds (Leeds Castle) and in 1119 established the Augustinian priory dedicated to St Mary and St Nicholas, which became ‘Leeds Abbey’.
From 1322 through to the Dissolution of the Catholic Church in the 1530s the crown retained the rights to the priory. At the King’s order the priory buildings were pulled down in 1539 as part of the Dissolution under Henry VIII. At its height, the monastery supported up to 25 canons. Of the fabric currently surviving at Leeds Abbey, the ‘Slype’ and the Dovecote are the only upstanding remains.
Following Dissolution, the site changed hands several times and a mansion house was constructed on the site using the materials from the demolished Abbey.
In 1608 the site was purchased by Sir William Meredith in whose family the estate would remain for the next 150 years, until it was sold to John Calcrott in 1765.
By the time of the Leeds Tithe Map of 1843, the house was gone. To this day, the date of its demolition nor the reason for its demolition are known. However the Slype, Dovecote and some of the later Meredith Mansion farmyard buildings survived.
Throughout the late 19th and into the 20th century, the site was utlised for farming and agriculture, thus becoming known as Abbey Farm, before it was abandoned. The site then fell into disrepair and as a result, was placed on Historic England’s 'Heritage at Risk Register'.
In 2016 the site was purchased by a new owner and following an investigative approach over several years, and working closely with Historic England, a sensitive and evidence-based scheme for the site was developed.
What happened next?
After years of extensive dialogue with Historic England and the Conservation Officer from Maidstone Borough Council, and thanks to the hard work of Tim Spicer from DHA Planning, full planning permission and Scheduled Monument Consent were secured for the following:
Change of use of land to residential. Erection of 2no. detached cottages, 1no. detached dwelling with outside pool and conversion of Cattle Barn to pool house. Conversion of dovecote to ancillary residential outbuilding. Restoration works to Grade II listed Slype and Dovecote and restoration of the historic landscape including repair of 2 ragstone walls. Demolition of 2no. modern barns. New vehicular access to Lower Street, parking and other associated works
This unique development will facilitate the restoration, maintenance and future conservation of nationally significant heritage assets in Kent.
What does the approved scheme comprise?
The permitted scheme seeks to create a new strategically located large country house (6 bedroom) within the site.
The dwelling is proposed to comprise of 4 storeys including rooms in the roof void and in a basement. It will also have undercroft parking that will occupy the footprint of the garden area immediately south of the proposed dwelling.
The design of the house adopts a Queen Anne period style. Red English bond brick borders the external walls of the dwelling, complete with detailing to the corner walls and window edges. The house adopts a classical appearance but one that does not deliberately pretend to be part of the previous history of the site.
Alongside the new house, the Slype and the Dovecote are to be completely and sympathetically restored, using traditional/original materials and workmanship.
The proposal also includes the restoration and conversion of the existing Cattle/Cow Barn to provide a pool house. The restoration of the building would include a handmade peg tile roof, restored red brick walls to matching existing and painted metal glazed bi-fold doors on the eastern elevation.
Two 3-bedroom cottages are also proposed to front the entrance of the site onto Lower Street and create a sense of arrival.
The historic landscape will also undergo sensitive works to restore the site largely to its originally intended setting. These include woodland and shrub clearance, regrading of topsoil, and planting to the lake edge. Extensive replanting of trees and shrubs will also take place.
Who made up the Project Team?
DHA Planning would like to thank the following members of the project team for all their help and hard work over the years:
If you would like to find out more about this exciting project, please get in touch with DHA's Tim Spicer.
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