Habitats and biodiversity
In addition to key outdoor leisure sites, we have two country parks (Haysden and Leybourne Lakes Country Park) both of which have been awarded Green Flag awards. We produce management plans for all key outdoor sites and will review them regularly, taking into account nature, biodiversity and conservation.
Where possible we will create and maintain buffer zones of mixed vegetation on edges of open spaces and against water areas to create habitats and habitat corridors. We will commit to reducing chemical use as much as reasonably practicable and ensure that our main contractor working at the sites, hold ISO140001 environmental accreditation or have other appropriate environmental safeguarding strategies in place.
Raising awareness locally will be a key objective and we will provide educational events for the public on sites across the borough that relate to nature, wildlife, biodiversity and its importance. In addition we will continue to core fund Medway Valley Countryside Partnership to assist in delivering various works and education across the borough regarding all environmental issues.
Working with partners, we will produce a tree charter for the borough, with the aim of retaining a planting budget to replant trees where appropriate and ensure that trees in the borough are well cared for. We will work with local landowners and developers to encourage tree planting and explore suitable opportunities for planting within boundaries and hedgerows. We will also seek to maximise tree planting through the development process where possible and appropriate.
We will continue to fund and work in partnership with the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Unit and High Weald AONB Unit in the review of the AONB management plans. Once adopted, these form council policy for the management of the AONBs and for the carrying out of functions relating to it. We will continue to explore external funding opportunities through these partnerships to deliver projects within the AONBs that support the aims of the management plans.
We will also continue to support the Old Chalk New Downs project which aims to restore and connect remaining fragments of chalk grassland in the North Downs to facilitate the spread and survival or rare species and raise awareness of the habitat through engagement schemes.