Green cluster studies Shorne to Shore Contents 03 What are the Green Cluster Studies? 11 Links to the Thames 04 Sense of place Gateway Parklands 05 Forces for positive change 12 More information 06 The BIG vision for Acknowledgements Shorne to Shore Cluster Photo credits 07 Vision framework 02 Green Cluster Study 9 - Shorne to Shore What are the Green Cluster Studies? The nine North Kent Green Cluster Studies work with local w articulated a common vision for each cluster area communities to set out ambitious visions for environmental w developed outline action plans which set out tasks, enhancements that will improve people’s quality of life, boost governance and phasing for delivering the visions biodiversity and protect wildlife habitats. These visions are w made the business case for investment formed through a series of workshops with key stakeholders, including representatives of local residents, community groups, The Shorne to Shore Cluster Study is not a proposal or a bid, but charities, environmental organisations, and the public sector. is intended to be a helpful ‘tool’ to prompt creative thinking in any future discussions between stakeholders as the various projects in The Shorne to Shore Cluster covers the countryside between the cluster are taken forward. Ultimately, the Green Cluster Studies the urban areas of Gravesend and the Medway Towns, both of aim to increase confidence, make the case for investment and which are experiencing intense growth. These growing urban provide a lever to bid for further funding. The Shorne to Shore populations will put increasing pressure on adjacent rural areas landscape begins at the rolling chalk downlands of the Kent Downs, which include highly protected, sensitive sites such as Shorne falls away over open arable fields and stretches out to the wild, flat Marshes, as well as popular visitor destinations in the south of grazing marshes of the Thames Estuary. This is one of few places the cluster, such as Shorne Woods Country Park, which attracts where views to the Thames Estuary marshes can be enjoyed from some 400,000 visitors a year. However, while there is capacity parts of Gravesend, the A226 and commuter trains. The broad belt within this area for extra visitors, such as at Ranscombe Farm of open arable farmland that sweeps from the ridge towards the Nature Reserve in Cuxton, there is limited scope for increased marshes provides the setting for these views. By contrast, the traffic and parking, and a need to identify new sites for recreation. narrow rural lanes have an enclosed, almost sunken character; some continue as historic tracks leading out onto the marshes. This cluster study responds to these concerns and looks at possible solutions that will protect vulnerable areas and enhance The ancient woodlands that cloak the broad wooded ridge to the biodiversity in line with local and national targets, while also north of the Downs form a backdrop to views and a setting for offering opportunities to increase access to the countryside, the villages of Shorne, Higham and Cuxton. The woodlands are boost the local economy and raise the profile of the area. the focus for a group of protected landscapes which include Shorne Woods Country Park, Ashenbank Wood, Jeskyns The Green Cluster Studies have: Community Woodland, the historic landscape parklands of w identified a coherent sense of place for each cluster area Cobham Hall, and Ranscombe Farm Nature Reserve. These w captured what is already happening highly accessible, beautiful landscapes are promoted as ‘hubs’ w identified stakeholder aspirations and updated existing studies for countryside activities and environmental education. w identified inter-dependencies, gaps and opportunities Green Cluster Study 9 - Shorne to Shore 03 Sense of place Sets out where we are and the challenge ahead ©© © Exposed sky/shore – vantage – dropping away – trackways – clustered farmsteads – make-do 1 Wooded ridge – closed to open – undulating edges – downland curves – coppice – hints of time 2 3 04 © Photos 1, 2 and 3 of this page have copyright - see credits on back page Green Cluster Study 9 - Shorne to Shore Forces for change Growth, projects and challenges in the Shorne to Shore Cluster Gravesend is expected to provide several thousand additional development of the Thames Estuary Path, and possible cycleways houses by 2026 and, to the east of the cluster, 5,000 new homes along the River Medway. One of the options for a Lower Thames are proposed at Lodge Hill when the MoD moves out of Crossing under consideration by the Government (Dartford River Chattenden Barracks on the Hoo Peninsula in 2012. These Crossing Study into Capacity Requirements 2009) passes through developments will put pressure on the countryside in terms of the area. Projects on the fringe or just outside the cluster include extra traffic and footfall. Projects under way to address these multi-activity centre Cyclopark to the south of Gravesend and challenges include the restoration of part of the Thames and RSPB Cliffe Pools nature reserve to the north, while in Wainscott Medway Canal near Gravesend for informal recreation, some residents are seeking a footbridge over the A289. Green Cluster Study 9 - Shorne to Shore 05 The BIG vision for Shorne to Shore Working with local farmers and landowners through Medway Towns and the Lodge Hill development. Accessibility agri-environmental schemes, we will seek to restore traditional will be transformed through off-road trails, bridleways and landscape patterns, reinforcing the character of woodland and footpaths, linked to improved bus services, promotion and marshland edges and strengthening habitat links across the belt interpretation. Local train stations and bus stops will be of arable land, and explore opportunities for sustainable local important gateways to the countryside while new high quality food production. The Shorne to Shore Cluster has the potential greenspaces and facilities at Gravesend’s Cascades Leisure to be an exceptionally accessible landscape, easily reached by Centre will be the starting point for recreational trails to Shorne train from London and on the doorstep of Gravesend, the Woods Country Park. 06 Green Cluster Study 9 - Shorne to Shore Vision framework Sets the agenda for a step change in environmental quality across the Shorne to Shore Cluster Green Cluster Study 9 - Shorne to Shore 07 The Green Cluster vision for Shorne to Shore has been informed by stakeholders and reflects the inherent character of local landscapes, as well as opportunities for connectivity, recreation and place-making. Key components are: Reinforcing the edges Strategic green grid Welcome Access Zones connections The long views across the belt of arable Pressures from growing populations will be most intense along the east and west farmland prompt an immediate This stretch of countryside between understanding of simple landscape margins of the cluster study, and it is Gravesend and Medway functions as a here that efforts will be concentrated to elements as the land falls gently from link between town and countryside, ridge to marsh. The Shorne to Shore encourage people into the countryside fulfilling a basic need for access to nature for recreation. These ‘welcoming zones vision retains the inherent open and an opportunity to enhance quality of character of the landscape while of access’ of high-quality footpaths, life for thousands of people. The Shorne cycleways and trails will provide safer reinforcing the key landscape edges – of to Shore vision promotes and enhances wooded ridge and estuarine marshes – and highly visible routes into the some key connections, while also countryside from towns and villages. which form the backdrop to views. addressing strong local demand for new Archaeological evidence suggests that Town-dwellers will be able to access the cycleways and bridleways: countryside from their doorstep or via the margins of the marshes and the w Quiet off-road multi-user routes ridge have long been a focus for public transport, removing the need to between Gravesend and Shorne travel by car and taking pressure off settlement and a programme of carefully Woods Country Park, between National targeted tree and hedgerow planting will country roads and lanes. Promotional Cycle Route 1 and the Thames Estuary material will be co-ordinated with be designed to restore traditional Path, and along both banks of the landscape patterns, particularly on the schemes for environmental education River Medway, linking Maidstone with and will build an appreciation of local margins of settlements, industrial areas Rochester. and farmsteads. The expansive views biodiversity, landscape and cultural w Improved provision for horse riders on a heritage. Train stations, bus stops and from the A226, which crosses the series of new bridleway loops. landscape linking Higham with village centres are also important w High quality, promoted recreational countryside gateways and will act as Gravesend, are a striking, distinctive trails which connect Gravesend and characteristic of the cluster landscape. ‘hubs’ where visitors can get local Strood with the farmland, woods and information such as maps, timetables, These views will be protected and a road marshes on their doorstep. corridor enhancement scheme will and interpretation and access toilet w New pedestrian footbridges over the facilities. explore the potential for landscape and railway line to ensure safe access and shared space improvements at village maintain key connections within the junctions along the road. rights of way network. 08 Green Cluster Study 9 - Shorne to Shore Engaging with landowners Securing the landscape Raising the profile The Higher Level Stewardship scheme This is an urban fringe area where local Proximity to London, Gravesend and provides opportunities to deliver people’s perceptions are tainted by Medway, and to the exceptional environmental and access enhancements anti-social use of the countryside so it is landscapes of the Thames Marshes and that restore traditional landscape patterns important to counter the problem with the Kent Downs, suggests that this area and strengthen habitat connectivity a strategy to build confidence long-term.