Funding secured to maintain ancient monument

Funding for the maintenance of an ancient monument in Kent has been secured after extensive lobbying by a community group.

The Halling Historical Society has successfully campaigned for Medway Council to complete important restoration on the remaining wall of the Bishop’s Palace in the village.

The palace was built in the 12th Century and was the summer residence of Bishop Gundulf, who was Bishop of Rochester from 1075 to 1108.

Philip Badman, secretary of the historical society, said he was "grateful" the council had agreed to the work, but that it had taken several years.

Bishop Gundulf was responsible for beginning the construction of Rochester Cathedral, as well as being involved with the building of Rochester Castle and the Tower of London.

The wall in Halling survived for hundreds of years until a large proportion was demolished to make way for lime and cement works in 1870.

Only one wall now remains.

The historical society said foliage has been allowed to cover and penetrate the wall and risks compromising it.

Mr Badman told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Even though around 30 years ago the council spent around about £1.5m landscaping all the area along by the river, they then didn’t maintain the wall.

"In September 2021, it really was a decrepit area, totally overgrown – temporary fencing had been around the area for 10 years.

"Unfortunately, it’s taken us three years of pressure and pressure on the council before something has been done."

Mr Badman said some stonework had already been repaired and now the council was set to remove the damaging foliage and vegetation growing out of the mortar.

Medway Council said it had agreed to the felling of a tree and the annual work to remove foliage at £365 per year.

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.