Case Study - St Mildred's Church, Tenterden

Brief
To design and deliver a sensitive single-storey extension to the Grade I listed St. Mildred’s Church. The proposals were focused on providing essential modern facilities including multiple WCs (with accessible and family provision), storage space, a Benefice office, a Green Room for meetings and community use, a kitchen, and improved disabled access. The design needed to support both the congregation and the wider community while blending harmoniously with the historic church and churchyard setting.

Time Frame
The design process built on many years of consultation, with previous schemes not pursued. The final design was developed through detailed liaison with the PCC, Historic England, and arboricultural specialists. Planning permission was granted by Ashford Borough Council in 2024. Further approvals are required from the Diocese before construction can begin. This includes archaeological investigations and other heritage-related assessments, which must be completed and compiled before the full go-ahead is given. Construction works are anticipated to follow a carefully phased programme, including a Construction Management Plan to minimise disruption.

Constraints
The extension required a highly sensitive approach to heritage and landscape. Particular challenges included:

• Preserving views of the north wall, tower, and Lady Chapel.
• Minimising impact upon the historic asset.
• Protecting important trees in the churchyard, with careful removal and mitigation planting for two Yews.
• Maintaining accessibility while navigating level changes, existing tombs, and historic fabric.
• Ensuring the new design respected the character of the Tenterden Conservation Area.
• Meeting the needs of a growing Benefice, requiring flexibility and additional space.

Outcomes
The final design creates 223.5m² of new space while retaining the church’s historic character. A glazed link with a butterfly roof enables uninterrupted views of the north wall, turning heritage into a celebrated feature. New facilities include a fully accessible Benefice office, WCs, kitchen, and multipurpose Green Room, all finished in materials sympathetic to the setting (Kentish Ragstone, steel roof with weathered copper tones, and toughened glazing). The scheme also improves access routes, provides ecological enhancements such as new tree planting, bird and bat boxes, and ensures full disabled access. The result is a contemporary, functional extension that secures St. Mildred’s role as both a place of worship and a community hub for generations to come.