KENT COUNTY COUNCIL Development Planning and Transportation Committee KENT STRUCTURE PLAN REVIEW GROUP OF MEMBERS 7th April 1987 Meeting Agenda 1. Meetings with District Council representatives in March; and 2. Transportation issues arising. 3. Roadside services Cifiifijjk Historic W.H. Deakin County Planning Officer 7». Agenda Item 4 52.5.1-‘1R.1_‘3__L.1’:N.1i3_ 1. Kent is one of the few counties to retain a rich heritage of antient lanes, predating the Enclosure Acts and even dating back to Saxon or earlier periods. Many of these lanes once served as important boundary features as well as a means of travelling about the county. Their value lies not only in their rarity and historic interest but also in their appearance and their value as a habitat for native wildlife. Typically such lanes are narrow, often winding, sometimes adjoined by high banks and frequently verged by trees, woodlands, ditches, hedges, wild flowers and grasses. These lanes provide residents and visitors to Kent with an intimate experience of the countryside and its native wildlife, including some of our most attractive landscapes and increasingly rare species. The character of these ancient lanes may be damaged by use from unsuitably large vehicles, or by heavy traffic flows, which either erode the features adjoining the lane or necessitate engineering works which may have an even more substantial effect. The wildlife interest, and the wild appearance, of the adjoining features can also be damaged by roadside management measures which suppress or destroy the native flora and fauna. As these ancient lanes form part of the highway network it must be accepted that highway safety considerations are of prime importance in determining their maintenance and management. Nevertheless, it is ‘possible to ensure that the historic value, appearance and wildlife interest of the most important lanes are conserved and enhanced through a combination of measures. These are as follows: controlling new development which would generate unacceptably high flows of traffic, and steering economic development to less sensitive areas; a policy of not signposting these lanes as through routes; other traffic management measures as appropriate (e.g. weight or width restrictions to restrict use by heavy lorries); the adoption of simple roadside management measures which encourage native flora and fauna to flourish, within the limits imposed by highway safety (e.g. delaying grass cutting until late summer, except for a narrow strip adjoining the roadside); other positive enhancement of the roadside environment as appropriate (e.g. by tree planting). The following policies are proposed in respect of specific Historic Lanes. ~ ~ ,,.. (i) Proposals for development which would damage Historic Lanes, or give rise to a significant increase in the level of traffic using these lanes, will not normally be permitted. Traffic management measures will be applied as practicable to prevent the use of Historic Lanes by heavy goods vehicles or other unsuitable vehicles. (iii) The roadside environment adjoining Historic Lanes will be managed to conserve and enhance its historic interest, appearance and wildlife value within the constraints imposed by highway safety, so far as resources permit. T3HLl.J1(T) Our ref: x V g President‘ The Lord Br-abourne ' A company limited by guarantee, No.633098, at 70-72 King Street, Maidstone. - Registered as a charity under No. 239992. VAT registration No. 204 799! 54, - Associated with the WATCH Trust for Environmental Education. ~ recycled paper ii «Sn FOR NATURE CONSERVATION July 1994 M at hr " cl V SM \' ' V. Tyland Barn, Sandling, on (/ Maidstone, Kent MEI4 3BD Q\9QE> A _ ' Tel: (0622) 6620l2 Fax: (0622) 67l390 3)g¢r §1eJbq(,, I am writing to you specially, as a Trust member in the East Kent area. You will probably know our Lydden Down Nature Reserve to the northrwest of Dover. The chalk grassland of Lydden Down is really quite exceptional and, as a Grade I Site of Special Scientific Interest, has become nationally important as more and more grassland habitats are being lost to encroaching scrub and intensive farming methods. - It is a marvellous site for all kinds of chalk flora including the rare early spider orchid, burnt tip orchid, autumn gentian, autumn lady's tresses and is_ quite outstanding for butterflies, with thriving populations of chalk hill blue, adonis blue, marbled white and contains the only Kent colony of silver spotted skipper butterflies - a rarity indeed. Earlier this year, quite unexpectedly, due to the sudden retirement of the landowning farmer we were offered the opportunity to purchase a parcel of land adjoining the western end of our Reserve. Because of our history of sympathetic management of the adjacent Reserve and our acknowledged reputation and integrity, the landowner gave us "first refusal" before putting the land up for general sale. It is quite apparent - and a genuine threat — that if we fail to secure this purchase, then the land will be sold off for commercial agriculture and it and its wildlife potential will be lost forever. The additional 50 acres were offered to us at £50,000. we immediately applied to the National Heritage Memorial Fund which, recognising the national importance of the site, pledged £15,000, our applications to a number of charitable trusts yielded a further £16,600, leaving us just £18,000 short of our target. Because of the present (and future) uncertain financial climate the Council of the Kent Trust decreed last year that our very limited capital funds should not be used for land acquisition, unless it was to save habitats which are particularly rare or under real threat - as is the case with Lydden Down. PARTNERSHIP " R. ' S ' N» ' C The Wildlife Trusts C However, even with the generous help we have secured from outside sources, the balance we still have to find represents a very major commitment for a small charity like ours. That is why we are now seeking help from local members and residents - if we can raise around half of the balance, (i e. £9,000) then the Trust Council will sell some investments to meet the shortfall. ' Lydden Down is a haven of peace and tranquillity amid the hiatus of the . Channel Tunnel, the Rail Link and two busy motorways. If you have not had the pleasure of walking up the chalk downland at Lydden when it is a carpet of wildflowers and alive with butterflies then I do recommend the experience! The additional 50 acres would effectively secure and conserve the last piece of chalk downland in the county and, although it has been very hard grazed in recent times, with positive management the wildlife potential is enormous. That is why I would be failing in my duty were I not to seek every avenue of help. I do hope you will support this, now urgent, appeal. A donation form and site plan are enclosed. with your help we can make the downland of Lydden and Temple Ewell the finest chalk grassland in the county. Thank you, as ever, for your interest and support. F? y 4 M ~’ Pete.Raine r"" Director LYDDEN ITEMPLE EWELL LOCAL NATURE RESERVE RAMSGATE. C.ANTERBURY/ LONDON A255 PROPOSED PURCHASE FOLKSTONE TEMPLE EWELL RESERVE *1; LEASEHOLD/FEEEHOLD 7992 LYDDEN WOODLAND LJNK DOWN LEA5E/'/OLD 7994‘ omewm. RESERVE FREEHOLD 7952 ‘ RAILWAY //N / '_re:rvu>L:17a"x=.wa:.:_ , v// (\ / Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3BD. (0622) 662012 Registered Charity No. 239992’