The castle site represents an opportunity to create a new heritage destination designed to encourage high volumes of new visitors to the city centre and wider district.

Castle SITE ELEMENTS

The castle project includes a number of potential elements which are listed below:

THE CASTLE KEEP RUINS

Description One of the three original Royal castles of Kent (the other two being Rochester Castle and Dover Castle). They were all built soon after the Battle of Hastings, on the main Roman road from Dover to London. This was the route taken by William the Conqueror in October 1066. Owned by the local authority since 1928.
Location Gas Street.
Ownership Canterbury City Council.
Current Status Closed due to falling masonry in 2018.

THE CASTLE GROUNDS

Description Lawn with pathways, mature trees, enclosed by wall.
Location Gas Street.
Ownership Canterbury City Council.
Current Status Closed due to falling masonry in 2018.

THE OAST

Description Grade II listed 19th century oast with 1970s extension.
Location Gas Street.
Ownership Sterling Holdings Ltd.
Current Status Purchased from CCC in March 2020 and is now awaiting planning permission for conversion to apartments (held up due to the Stodmarsh issue).
Note Current owner is willing to discuss sale but timeframes are tight.

CASTLE STREET MULTI-STOREY Car park

Description 3 level multi-story car park.
Location Various.
Ownership Canterbury City Council.
Current Status Underused (particularly the top deck) and attracts antisocial behaviour.
Additional Information N/A.

GAS STREET houses

Description 7 Brick houses (1 detached) adjoining Castle Street multi-storey car park, on-street parking along Gas Street frontage.
Location Gas Street.
Ownership 2 in private ownership (Right to Buy scheme), remaining owned by CCC.
Current Status N/A.

rosemary lane house

Description Brick corner house adjoining Castle Street multi-storey car park.
Location Rosemary Lane.
Ownership TBC.
Current Status N/A.

Castle SITE DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS

There are a number of development options for inclusion in the project site, the scale of the site and ambition varies from simply reopening the castle ruins, to a brand new heritage destination for the city.

OPTION 1 | RESTORE CASTLE KEEP & GROUNDS

Restore the Castle Keep to enable it to open to the public and enhance the grounds.

OPTION 2 | OPT 1 + AMPHITHEATRE

Restore the Castle Keep, grounds and include an open air amphitheatre within the ruins (difficult without facilities building).

OPTION 3 | OPT 2 + OAST

Restore the Castle Keep, grounds and include an open air amphitheatre. Purchase and restore the Oast building to use as a space for amphitheatre facilities and visitor experiences.

OPTION 4 | OPT 3 + CASTLE STREET multi-story top deck

The castle site as per option 3. Including developing the top deck of the multi-storey car park to become a touring exhibition hall / conference centre, with a Canterbury’s Tales of England experience & rooftop restaurants / green spaces.

OPTION 5 | OPT 4 + gas street properties & on-street parking

The complete castle site as per option 4. Including the removal of the Gas Street properties to enhance the setting of the Scheduled Monument and create a leafy avenue of trees between the castle and car park to soften its impact on the castle.

OPTION 6 | OPT 5 + rosemary lane property

The complete castle site and Gas Street properties as per option 5. Including the single corner property on Rosemary Lane to provide an attractive gateway welcome to the castle site from Castle Mile & improved site access.