APPENDIX A MAIDSTONE LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT 2012 Response to comments from Member workshop 11 March 2013

Member comments Response Officer recommendation Philosophy behind document - The LCA follows up to date No change very concerned that guidance (Landscape required "fragmentation" of landscape Character Guidance for proposed within the document England and Scotland, Scottish flies in the face of NPPF Natural Heritage/The and Natural Environment Countryside Agency, 2002), White Paper which seeks to which is nationally recognised. engender "landscape scale" This methodology is consistent conservation and "networks for with the methodology used at nature". The beauty of county and national scale and the landscape is that it is a across neighbouring boroughs. patchwork of local difference Using the same consistent that when seen as a whole is approach allows the smaller beautiful. Special Landscape landscape character areas to Areas worked very well in this piece together into the larger regard as they operated at a areas, building up a hierarchy worthwhile scale. The to cover a wider, landscape proposed way forward will scale, area and to enable inevitably lead to an overall decision making at a strategic decline in landscape quality as and local scale. The protection of wider countryside assessment/methodology does becomes impossible under not aim to fragment the this "divide and landscape, but to draw out the rule" methodology. diversity and richness of the landscape character. It is recognised under Considerations (Page 102/38) that ‘Changes in the natural landscape are often gradual…..It is therefore common to find some characteristics of one area overlapping into another’.

Page 8 A general point in Amend text as per response to several comments response below- the ‘Conserve’ guideline category does not mean that no intervention or ongoing management/restoration is required. To make this clear, the following could be added under Evaluation between ‘… from this analysis’ and ‘Many of these…’:

‘It should be noted that where the guideline is to ‘Conserve’ a landscape character area, ongoing good practice and management will be required to sustain the good landscape condition/high landscape sensitivity.’ page 46 bullet point 5 insert This is an acceptable addition Amend text "disused chalk pits" between "chalk grassland" and "grazing meadow". Rationale: these characteristic and often historic features are threatened by landscape rehabilitation projects with negative impacts upon local landscape character and biodiversity.

Page 51 bullet point 4 add This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per "through introduction of native with minor amendment as response hedgerows and" between follows: "boundaries" and avoiding". Rationale: hedgerows have "through the introduction of been lost from this area and native hedgerows and" were formerly a key landscape between "boundaries" and by feature now largely grazed- avoiding" out, burned-out or grubbed.

Bullet point 6 add This is an acceptable addition Amend text "through delivery of appropriate architectural and landscape design, increasing native tree cover and "between "villages," and "by discouraging". Rationale: common-sense!

Bullet point 9 add "and This is an acceptable addition Amend text introducing greater woodland structural diversity" after "coppice". Rationale: key objective in local Kent Downs woodlands.

Bullet point 11 add "reducing This is an acceptable addition Amend text over-grazing" between "by" and "removing". Rationale: key objective in local Kent Downs woodlands. Page 55 add new bullet points This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per 5 and 6 as follows: * Establish with minor amendment as response wooded network incorporating follows: scarp woodlands, Malling and Monkdown Woods. * Restore * Restore and expand extent and expand extent of relict of relict roadside field ponds, roadside field ponds, which which were formerly a key were formerly a key feature of feature of this part of the dip this part of dip slope. slope. Rationale: key local landscape and biodiversity objectives.

Page 56 within key This is an acceptable Amend text characteristics panel last bullet amendment point remove "very" and "unkempt". Rationale: not in fact locally characteristic and perjorative.

Page 58 remove lines from 3.7 Suggest addition to second Amend text as per starting "Where the fields...." paragraph as follows: response and ending at "moderate" and at end of 3.7 replace "poor" ‘Visual detractors include with "moderate". the tall electricity pylons, large metal and concrete sheds and flytipping.’

Suggest deleting the following: Amend text as per response ‘Where the fields are not managed as pasture, there are sometimes problems with scrub emerging, unmaintained gates and rubbish dumped which makes these fields appear abandoned’ .

The overall landscape condition of ‘poor’ is based on No change a consistent and complex required assessment approach and an analysis of a number of different factors. It is not possible to change the overall conclusion to ‘moderate’ without making changes to the analysis. The analysis is considered correct and consistent with other adjoining landscape character areas across this part of the Downs. Note that landscape analysis takes an average across each landscape character area and there may be pockets of different condition and sensitivity within. These suggested changes are not appropriate.

Page 59 Summary of Analysis The overall landscape No change change Condition Assessment condition of ‘poor’ is based on required from "poor" to "moderate" and a consistent and complex ecological integrity from assessment approach and an "moderate" to "good". analysis of a number of different factors. It is not possible to change the overall conclusion to ‘moderate’ without making changes to the analysis. The analysis is correct and consistent with other adjoining landscape character areas across this part of the Downs. The extent of ancient woodland, chalk grassland and Local Wildlife Sites are detailed within the text and recognised as being ecologically important. The overall ecological integrity is moderate overall because of poor wildlife connectivity in places caused by gappy hedgerows and fenced field boundaries. The suggested changes are not acceptable.

At Summary of Actions add at This is an acceptable addition Amend text end of bullet point 4 "to enhance structural diversity."

At bullet point 7 delete This is an acceptable deletion Amend text "encouraging grazing within fields which appear abandoned and"

At bullet point 8 delete "by This is an acceptable deletion Amend text trimming the hedgerows more regularly". Rationale: very difficult to place some of this narrative within the correct landscape character area.

Page 62 at 4.6 remove This is an acceptable deletion Amend text "problems of" from line 10. Rationale: it isn't a problem, seasonal wet hollows at Friningham are a key landscape and biodiversity asset supporting rare stoneworts and higher plants!

Page 64 at Summary of The Sense of Place is based on No change Analysis replace Sense of a consistent and complex required Place: "weak" with assessment approach and an "moderate". analysis of a number of different factors. It is not possible to change the Sense of Place without making changes to the analysis, and the analysis is considered correct. The suggested changes are not appropriate.

At Summary of Actions add This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per new bullet point "* Increase with minor amendment as response extent of tree coverage across follows: intensively cultivated areas as opportunities arise.". "* Increase extent of native Rationale: this character area tree coverage across areas of has lost significant areas of intensively cultivated areas (ancient) woodland and most land as opportunities arise." of its hedgerow trees in the fairly recent past (since 1970s) and this fact is not recognised.

Page 69 at Guidelines table The overall Guideline of No change and header change "Conserve" ‘Conserve’ is based on this required to "Conserve and Restore". landscape being in good Rationale: a brief glance at condition and highly sensitive. JNCC Inventory of ancient To change the overall woodlands or an old map Guideline to ‘Conserve and starkly illustrates the loss of Restore’, the Condition would tree cover to arable cropping need to be degraded to since the 1970s - this cover moderate. The analysis for should be restored. the landscape condition is considered correct and therefore these suggested changes are not appropriate. There is still a significant amount of woodland within this landscape and 78 hectares of new broadleaved woodland have been planted by the Woodland Trust at the Hucking Estate (as referenced in the text).

At Summary of Actions bullet This is an acceptable addition Amend text point 4 add "and enhance structural diversity," between "woodlands" and "particularly".

At bullet point 6 add "and Scrub inhibits chalk grassland No change to text scrub" between "grassland" and scrub clearance is on this point but and "by ensuring" sometimes used as a add the following management tool to help to the Landscape regenerate chalk grassland Description: species, so to add that the “Uncommon conservation of scrub is scrub species desirable is not always occur locally appropriate. such butcher's broom and unusual bramble species on the dip-slope.’’ and delete "sheep" between These are acceptable changes Amend text as per "appropriate" and "grazing". with minor amendment as response Add a new bullet point at follows: end "* seek to extend woodland cover within "* seek to extend native intensively farmed landscape." woodland cover within areas of intensively farmed landscape."

This bullet point would support the objective of restoring the woodland loss.

Page 72 at 6.7 change "well" This is an acceptable Amend text to "intensively". Rationale: substitution subjective statement as they're not well maintained if you’re a bullfinch or noble chafer!

Page 73 add new bullet point This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per at end of Summary of Actions with minor amendment as response stating "* Seek to extend follows: woodland cover within intensively farmed "* Seek to extend native landscape.". Rationale: again a woodland cover within areas big loss of woodland to of intensively farmed agriculture since 1970s - see landscape". JNCC mapping! Page 78 add at bullet point 7 Scrub inhibits chalk grassland No change to text "and scrub" between and scrub clearance is on this point but "grassland" and "and sometimes used as a add the following reinforce" and bullet point 8 management tool to help to the Landscape add "and extend" between regenerate chalk grassland Description: "conserve" and "the good". species, so to add that the “Uncommon Rationale: complies with local conservation of scrub is scrub species AONB landscape aspirations to desirable is not always occur locally achieve greater structural appropriate. Aspirations set such butcher's diversity. out within the Kent Downs broom and AONB Management Plan are unusual bramble referenced in bullet point 3. species on the dip-slope.’’

Page 80 at 8.2 add This is an acceptable addition Amend text "including large coppice stools of both our native limes" between "block of trees" and "as well as pasture". Rationale: very special landscape features.

Page 83 at bullet point 4 add These are acceptable additions Amend text "and enhance structural diversity within" between "conserve" and "and reinforce" and add new bullet point at end "* propagate by layering relict native lime to facilitate re-introduction programme within local Kent Downs AONB landscape." Rationale: these trees are very, very old and dying out - they must be assisted to prosper.

Page 149/85 bullet point 8 add Scrub inhibits chalk grassland No change to text "and scrub" between and scrub clearance is on this point but "grassland" and "and to sometimes used as a add the following restore". management tool to help at page 148/84 regenerate chalk grassland (18 th sentence): species, so to add that the “unimproved chalk conservation of scrub is grassland, with desirable is not always locally common appropriate. wild box and purging buckthorn , but it is …..”

Page 87 at 9.2 change "from" These are acceptable Amend text as per to "on" i.e. "on 'wild' relic". amendments but it is assumed response Delete "kestrels and it should read, ‘….utilising sparrowhawks" and change cuttings grown from ‘wild’ "feed" to "prey" and "many" to relic populations…’ "local" and delete "rabbits in the area" and replace with "rabbit population". Rationale: factual kestrels and sparrowhawks don't eat rabbits!

Page 88 at 9.7 insert ", pylons These are acceptable additions Amend text and overhead powerlines" between "barriers" and "as well as".

Page 94 bullet point 6 change This is an acceptable change Amend text as per to “Mark, protect and grown- with minor amendment as response on new standard native trees follows: within hedgerows.’’ “Mark, protect and allow to grow on grown -on new standard native trees within hedgerows, and plant new native standard specimens where appropriate .”

Bullet point 7 at “and scrub” Scrub inhibits chalk grassland No change to text between “grassland” and “by”. and scrub clearance is on this point but sometimes used as a add the following management tool to help to the Landscape regenerate chalk grassland Description: species, so to add that the “Uncommon conservation of scrub is scrub species desirable is not always such as wild box appropriate. and purging buckthorn occur locally at Thurnham ”.

Page 97 at 11.7 add “and few This is an acceptable addition Amend text hedgerows” between “cover and “limit”.

Add at end of 11.8 “However, This should be set out as an Amend text as per the loss of hedgerows and aspiration under Summary of response hedgerow trees to agricultural Actions rather than included intensification is a detracting under the analysis of factor that should be landscape Sensitivity. addressed, whenever opportunities arise, through re-instatement of historic hedge-lines.”.

Page 98 Guidelines “Conserve I am satisfied that the analysis No change and Restore” rather than is correct, fully justified by the required “Conserve”. text and is consistent with adjoining scarp landscapes. These suggested changes are not considered appropriate.

Summary of Actions bullet Update bullet point 5 to read , Amend text as per point 5 start sentence “ ‘Conserve and enhance response Conserve, enhance and re- hedgerows, infilling instate……..”. sections which are missing and reinstating historic hedge-lines .’

Page 104 bullet point 2 add These are acceptable additions Amend text as per “through relaxation of mowing with minor amendment to response regimes” between “park” and point 3 as follows: “and consider” at bullet point 3 add “….Enhance structural “…. through appropriate diversity within” and add new management and enhance d bullet point “* Utilise structural diversity” opportunities arising from development and land-use changes to re-establish semi- natural habitats.”.

Page 107 Summary of Actions This is an acceptable addition Amend text add new bullet point “* Reduce mowing frequencies at Cobtree Manor Park to enhance landscape structure and benefit wildlife.”.

Page 110 add at conclusion of The inclusion of these issues is Amend text as per Biodiversity section “Recent acceptable with amended response development close to M20 wording as follows: Junction 6 has led to the translocation of the large 'Development close to M20 resident great crested newt Junction 6 has led to the population to Allington Castle translocation of legally and the destruction of exposed protected species and the sandy substrates that formerly destruction of exposed supported endangered sandy substrates that invertebrate populations. More formerly supported positively ancient Cuckoo endangered invertebrate Wood is now managed as a populations. More nature reserve with positively, ancient Cuckoo management interventions Wood is now managed to delivering enhanced vegetation deliver enhanced structure to benefit flora and vegetation structure to fauna”. benefit flora and fauna'.

Page 116 Key Characteristics This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per panel new bullet point Note: On the OS base, this is response “Wetlands include ‘The Sheep- spelt ‘Cook es Cottage s’. wash’ stream system and the historic deep pond at Cooks Cottage.”

Page 117 at end of 13.10 add This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per “A stream system known with amended wording as response locally as ‘The Sheep-wash’ follows: runs under Grange Lane towards the M20 motorway. ‘…motorway, and an historic An historic and deep pond is and deep pond is situated situated north of Cooks north of Cook es Cottage s is Cottage is another local another local landscape landscape feature. Prior to feature . Prior to extensive extensive land drainage in the land drainage in the early 20 th early Twentieth Century this century area was seasonally flooded and supported lapwing and European eel.

Page 118 at Biodiversity These are acceptable changes Amend text as per section 13.16 delete “Drainage with amended wording as response ditches and the pond” and follows: replace with “Streams and the pond at Cooks Cottage”. ‘… Cook es Cottage s”. Further Further reference to “drainage reference to “drainage ditches” ditches” should be replaced should be replaced with with “streams”. Add new “streams”. Add new penultimate sentence Prior to penultimate sentence Prior to extensive land drainage extensive land dra inage interventions farmland in this interventions farmland in this area was annually inundated area was annually inundated by floodwater.” At Condition by floodwater.” At Condition add “streams, ponds” between add “streams, ponds” between “with” and “tree belts”. At “with” and “tree belts”. At Summary of Actions change Summary of Actions change last bullet point to “Conserve last bullet point to “Conserve and reinforce wetland habitats and improve reinforce …’’ by ensuring protection and encouraging appropriate ‘Improve’ should be used management.” rather than ‘reinforce’ to be consistent with wording in overall guideline.

Page 119 at Key This is an acceptable proposal Amend text as per Characteristics add new bullet based on an aerial photo. response point “Streams and stream-fed However the OS base shows ponds south of Park House.” the ponds to be isolated but with some very linear, man made ditches to the west. Suggest ‘ Streams and stream-fed ponds ’ may be better to include recognition of streams within Boxley to the north.

Page 120 at 13.20 add at end This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per of paragraph “Streams and the with amended wording as response stream-fed ponds at Park follows: House are attractive and locally characteristic features.” ‘…ponds where the Chalk meets the Gault Clay at…’

Page 121 at Biodiversity 13.26 These are acceptable changes Amend text as per delete “water bodies” and with amended wording as response replace with “stream-fed follows: ponds supporting rare stoneworts and invertebrates” ‘… point “Conserve and and change “in” to “at”. At enhance stream …’ Summary of Actions add new ‘Conserve’ should be used to bullet point “Conserve and be consistent with wording in enhance stream network and overall guideline. stream-fed ponds.”

Page 122 at Key Characteristic There are several ponds within Amend text as per panel add new bullet point this area – suggest ‘ Scattered response “Pond at Stone House and ponds ’ is added to key ‘Acre Pond’”. characteristics to include recognition of all ponds.

Page 123 at 13.31 add “locally This is an acceptable addition Amend text known as the ‘Acre Pond’,” between “pond,” and “enclosed”

Page 125 Biodiversity 13.36 These are acceptable changes Amend text add a penultimate sentence “Park Wood retains a notable ground flora and some exceptionally large and ancient coppice stools.”. At Summary of Actions add extra bullet points “ Ensure retention and sympathetic management of wetland features” and “Seek appropriate management for Park Wood to maximise biodiversity”.

Page 127 at 14.2 add “and Change sentence to Amend text as per supports stand of the Red Data incorporate: ‘ Heath Wood is response Book plant common cudweed a small wood with and legally protected common historical chestnut coppice. lizard” after “heathy The wood sits in the vicinity characteristics”. of a small field which displays heathy characteristics and supports the Red Data Book plant common cudweed and legally protected common lizard ’.

Add “aspen” between “hazel,” This is an acceptable addition Amend text and “holly”.

Page 132 at 14.12 add “and This is an acceptable addition Amend text relict heath” between “rough pasture” and “are”.

Page 134 at Biodiversity 14:17 This is an acceptable addition Amend text add a penultimate sentence “Rough grass and relict heathland (including rare lichen heath) at Weavering Heath supports significant reptile populations.”

Summary of Actions add new Wording should be in Amend text as per bullet point “Conserve and accordance with the overall response expand relict heathland at guideline as follows: Weavering Heath” “Conserve and expand Improve and reinforce …’

Page 150 at 15.8 delete There is a difference between Amend text as per “ditches” and substitute ditches and streams, the response “streams”. former being man made. Suggest ‘ watercourses ’ is used.

Page 151 Summary of Actions As above Amend text as per bullet point 8 delete “ditches” response and substitute “streams” and finish sentence after this word. Rationale: reference to willow species makes no sense.

Page 159 at Guidelines delete The overall landscape No change Conserve status and instead guideline of ‘Conserve’ is required “Restore and Improve”. based on a consistent and complex assessment approach and an analysis of a number of different factors. It is not possible to change the overall guideline without making changes to the analysis. The analysis is considered correct. The suggested changes are not appropriate.

At Summary of Actions bullet This is an acceptable addition Amend text point 5 add “and field headlands” between “boundaries” and “where practicable”.

Delete last bullet point (which This bullet point is appropriate Amend text as per is undesirable) and should be retained but response suggest that ‘ crisp ’ is replaced by ‘ defined ’.

Add new bullet point “Restore This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per historic hedgerow and shaw with amended wording as response pattern when opportunities follows: arise. ‘… when where opportunities…’

At Summary of Analysis make The analysis is considered No change to text Condition Assessment correct and well justified in the on condition “Moderate”, Detracting Landscape Analysis section assessment but Features “Some”, Ecological and therefore these suggested amend general Integrity “Poor”, Continuity changes are not appropriate. text as per “Recent”. Rationale: this Arable intensification is response landscape is far from historic acknowledged but suggest and has changed beyond amending 17.7 3 rd sentence to recognition in the last 40 or so ‘Despite significant loss of years - from small grazed historic hedgerow fields with hedgerows and boundaries and shaws, a multiple shaws to featureless good hedgerow network open arable land. A cursory and frequent woodland glance at historic maps reveals blocks remain ’ the extent of change (as does local knowledge).

Page 162 at Key These additions are acceptable Amend text Characteristics panel at 3rd bullet point add “ and dense stands of aspen adjacent to railway” and at 4th bullet point add “, woodland and grassland”.

Page 163 at 18.2 last sentence These are acceptable changes Amend text as per should read “At Bridge with amended wording as response Nursery, regenerating aspen, follows: ash, hornbeam hazel, pedunculate oak and hawthorn “To the west of the sports woodland and gorse, bramble ground, at an area locally and dogwood thickets known as ‘Bridge Nursery ’, intersperse the rough regenerating…’ grassland and relict derelict orchard.”

At end of 18.4 add additional ‘… feature of the area locally Amend text as per sentence “Views to and from known as ‘Bridge Nursery ’.’ response the Kent Downs AONB to the north are a key feature of Add this latter sentence to Bridge Nursery. ‘Views’.

Page 164 at 18.6 add new These are acceptable additions Amend text as per sentence at end “Views from with amended wording as response the Ashford to London railway follows: line are a significant consideration within this ‘… line are also a significant…’ landscape area – effectively serving as the visual gateway to the Borough for rail passengers.” At 18.7 add “derelict orchard, rough grassland” between “vegetation,” and “a woodland belt”

and delete sentence beginning The assessment and No change “The cultural heritage is justification of poor cultural required poor….” heritage is considered correct. The suggested changes are not appropriate.

and substitute “Bridge Nursery This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per supports a notable flora and between ‘habitat network’ and response fauna, including the Red Data ‘The cultural heritage’ with Book common cudweed, and amended wording as follows: at least three reptile species ‘Bridge Nursery is thought to support s a …’

Page 165 at Summary of The analysis is considered No change Analysis change Condition to correct and well justified in the required “Good”, Pattern of elements to Landscape Analysis section. “Coherent”, Cultural integrity The suggested changes are not to “Variable”, Functional appropriate. Integrity to “Coherent”, Sensitivity Assessment to “Moderate”, Distinctiveness to “Distinct”, Landform to “Apparent”. At Guidelines change “Improve” to “Conserve and Improve”

Add new bullet point at This addition is acceptable but Amend text as per Summary of Actions “* suggest the use of ‘ maintain ’ response Conserve mosaic of wildlife in place of ‘conserve’ for habitats at Bridge Nursery”. consistency.

Page 168 at19.7 add new This would be better placed Amend text as per sentence after “good bases for under Summary of Actions response wildlife.” stating rather than the analysis for “Establishment of semi-natural consistency. habitat link between Fullingpits Wood and Oaken Wood and Ditton Common to the west is a priority if the ecological integrity of this now isolated ancient woodland is to be protected.”

At end of this section delete These changes are Amend text “and some of these trees may appropriate. be over mature.” Rationale: policy compliance / irrational statement. At Summary of Actions add new bullet points “* strengthen and restore hedgerows and tree lines fronting Hermitage Lane.” And “* Seek to establish semi- natural habitat link between Fullingpits Wood and Oaken Wood and Ditton Common.”

Page 178 at Summary of This is an acceptable addition Amend text Actions add to last bullet point with amended wording as “through restoring hedgerow follows: along fence lines and along road corridors.” ‘… hedgerow s boundaries along …’

Page 187 and 203 The views are mentioned in Amend text The description of the the overall description for LCA landscape character area 24 and 24-2, as well as LCA around and opposite Fant 27, 27-2 and 27-4 which are Orchard should emphasise the on the opposite side of the importance of the views to the Medway but not in the key South from Gatland Lane. characteristic boxes for these The views of the opposite side areas. Add 'Views across of the valley are what takes Medway Valley to opposite your attention when you walk valley side' to key through the site. They're characteristics of each of these unique to these two sites, areas. because of the gradient of the land and the route the access takes.

Page 197 at 25.2 add This is an acceptable addition The ancient “(including ancient woodland)” woodland at between “clumps” and Oakwood Park “throughout the park” was not formally designated until after the assessment of the area had been undertaken. The description should not therefore refer to data collected after the original survey work for the sake of consistency. No change required.

and add “recently built in This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per ancient woodland” between with amended wording as response “parking” and “has been follows: designed”. Rationale: this places in context. ‘… in ancient woodland”

Page 198 at Summary of Only part of the woodland is Refer to comment Actions bullet point 5 delete recorded as ancient. Suggest on Ancient “its mature” and replace with adding ‘ some of which is Woodland above. “ancient”. ancient ’ between ‘mature No change woodland’ and ‘isolated trees’ required.

Add at end of bullet point 7 These are acceptable additions Amend as per “and enhanced grassland with amended wording as response management interventions follows: should be prioritised to re- introduce a mosaic of sward- ‘Seek to safeguard the types”. Add at bullet point 8 rough grassland and scrub “and semi-natural landscape to the southeast corner of features” between “buildings” the site, thought to be and “on site”. Add a new bullet wildlife-rich’ . point stating “* Seek to safeguard the wildlife-rich rough grassland and scrub at the south east corner of the site.”

At 25.6 Condition last line This is an acceptable addition Amend text but state after “network of omit ‘ ancient ’. parkland trees, ancient woodland and the rough grassland and scrub within the south east sector of the site.”

Page 200 at 26.3 delete “This This is an acceptable deletion Amend text area supports lowland acid grassland and woodland flora, and populations of invertebrates and protected reptile species.” as it is repeated and clumsy.

Page 202 Summary of Analysis The analysis is considered No change at Sense of Place state correct and fully justified by required “Moderate” at Condition the text. These suggested change from “Improve” to changes are not appropriate. “Restore and Improve”.

Page 231 at Biodiversity It is unclear whether there is Amend text as per section add new last line “Man- recent evidence of the water response made barriers to wildlife quality being poor. The movement and poor water ecologist had assumed under quality detract from the Biodiversity that the water biodiversity value of the Loose quality was good at the time of Stream and riparian habitat assessment. I suggest the improvements should be a action is incorporated under priority. Summary of Actions rather than under the Biodiversity description section.

Add new bullet point 3 at The amendment is appropriate Amend text as per Summary of Actions stating to reflect Local Wildlife Site response “Seek to restore the ecological status but should be amended integrity of the Loose Stream as follows to ensure and its corridor.” consistency:

“Seek to restore Conserve the …’

At Guidelines I suggest should The analysis is considered No change be “Conserve and Restore” correct and fully justified by required rather than “Conserve”. the text. The valley is Ecological Integrity should be designated as a Local Wildlife “Moderate” – as has declined Site. The suggested changes rapidly in recent years and is are not appropriate. far from strong!

Page 234 at Summary of This is an acceptable Amend text Actions 2nd bullet point delete substitution “planting” and replace with “and wood pasture”.

Page 239 at 27.102 add new This is an acceptable The ancient sentence at end “Relict amendment to 27.102 woodland was not parkland and remnants of between ‘Boughton Mount’ and formally ancient woodland survives at ‘Development’. designated until the northern extent of this after the character area on the north assessment of the east side of Boughton Lane area had been within the school campus. undertaken. The The northern (urban-edge) description should sector of this landscape area not therefore refer retains the most historic to data collected features.” after the original survey work for the sake of consistency. Amend text as follows:

“Relict parkland and remnants of ancient woodland survive s at the northern extent of this character area on the north east side of Boughton Lane within the school campus.

Page 240 at Biodiversity This is an acceptable Amend text 27.106 add “ancient” amendment “between “of” and “woodland”.

Delete 5th bullet point This is an acceptable Amend text as per regarding development amendment and should be response (nowhere else in the treated consistently where document does it talk about repeated elsewhere in the LCA development) as follows:

• 24-2 ‘Respect the setting of Rectory Lane Orchards to the west and the Medway Valley to the south in any development proposals ’ • 27-6 ‘Encourage appropriate and sensitive use development of disused quarry workings to the north’ • 27-9 ‘Enhance and respect the built and natural environment through the sensitive inte gration of any further development’ • 30-2 ‘Respect the settings of the Len valley and Stoneacre Springs in any further development proposals ’ • 30-5 ‘Reinforce the existing local character through sensitive building conversions which utilise local materials’ • 30-7 ‘Conserve the rural character of the landscape and rural views consider the high visibility of the area in any development proposals’ • 33 ‘ Where development is permitted , Buildings and structures should be sensitively designed’

and add new bullet points “* This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per Restore hedgerow network and with amended wording as response increase coverage by parkland follows: trees” ‘… coverage by of parkland …’

and “* Intensification of It is suggested that for Amend text as per development and associated consistency this reads, response lighting within the school ‘Reduce visual intrusion of campus has had an urbanising development and impact and this should be associated lighting through addressed as a priority.” native planting where practicable’’

Page 250 at Summary of This is an acceptable addition Amend text Actions add new bullet point “* Facilitate natural regeneration and expansion of relict oak woodland adjacent to Park Wood open space.”

Page 256 at Summary of This is an acceptable addition Amend text Actions at 2nd bullet point delete “balance” and replace with “enhance value for”.

Page 279 at 30.11 delete “, This is an acceptable deletion Amend text unmanaged land between the urban edge and he stream”. Rationale: a very subjective statement.

Page 280 at Summary of A central band of mature Amend text as per Actions add new bullet point woodland along the Len and response “Seek opportunities to restore an area of ancient woodland to quality and ecological function the east are designated as of the River Len and is Local Wildlife Sites. An corridor.”. additional bullet point is suggested which reads, ‘Conserve and seek to restore where necessary the quality and ecological function of the River Len’ .

Page 295 at Summary of This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per Actions bullet point 3 add to with amended wording as response end of sentence “…., and follows: vegetation enhance structure through favouring longer grass “…., and vegetation enhance sward.” vegetation structure …’

Page 305 at Key The revised bullet point Amend text as per Characteristics panel add new wording is suggested as response bullet point “Species rich follows: ponds west of Platts Heath.”. ‘Ponds, some of which are species rich’, to incorporate other ponds within the area eg west of The Ridge Golf

Club. Page 308 at Summary of This is an acceptable addition Amend text Actions add new bullet point “Conserve and if opportunities arise extend pond complex west of Platts Heath.”.

Page 311 at Summary of This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per Actions last bullet point insert with amended wording as response at end “and, where follows as not all soils in this opportunities arise, facilitate area are considered ‘heathy’ woodland extensions acidic/suitable for heathy .”. vegetation:

“and, where appropriate and where opportunities ...’

Page 335 at Summary of This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per Actions add new bullet point with minor amendment as response “Safeguard and, where follows for consistency: opportunities arise, extend relict areas of lowland acid “Safeguard Conserve and grassland and wood pasture.”. …’ Page 342 Generic Guidelines at These are acceptable Amend text 6th bullet point start sentence amendments. “Conserve, enhance and extend the pattern of small ponds…………” and at 9th bullet point start sentence “Conserve the abundance of English oak and wild service trees within………………………….”.

Page 348 at 37.7 delete “well” This is an acceptable deletion Amend text from between “to be” and “managed.”.

Page 349 at Summary of This is an acceptable addition Amend text Actions 5th bullet point add “with characteristic standard English oaks” between “hedgerows” and “where possible”.

Page 357 at Summary of This is an acceptable addition Amend text as per Actions add another bullet with amended wording as response point “Safeguard and, where follows for consistency: possible, extend native woodland blocks.”. “Safeguard Conserve and …’

Page 360 at Summary of The analysis is considered No change Analysis change condition correct, fully justified by the assessment to “Good” (from text and consistent with “Very Good”) and detracting surrounding Low Weald areas. features to “Some”. The suggested changes are not appropriate.

Page 361 at Guidelines change The analysis is considered No change to “Conserve and Restore” correct and fully justified by from “Conserve” the text. The suggested changes are not appropriate

at Summary of Actions 3rd This is an appropriate addition Amend text bullet point insert “, extend” after “Conserve” and before “and enhance”.

Page 365 at Summary of The analysis is considered No change Analysis change condition correct, fully justified by the assessment to “Good”, cultural text and consistent with integrity to “Variable” and surrounding Low Weald areas. functional integrity to Another point to bear in mind “Coherent”,at Guidelines box is that Cultural Integrity change to “Conserve and incorporates the built

Restore” from “Conserve” and environment as well as natural elements. The suggested changes are not appropriate

at Summary of Actions at These additions are bullet point 4 add “and appropriate and bullet points Amend text as per facilitate arable reversion to should be updated for the response grassland where possible.” at Generic Guidelines for the Low end of sentence and add new Weald for consistency and to bullet point “Establish new avoid repetition as follows: clean water ponds where opportunities arise.”. • ‘Promote the conversion of intensively managed grassland and arable land to species rich neutral grassland where there is potential • Conserve, enhance and extend the frequent pattern of small ponds.’

Page 369 at Summary of The additions are appropriate. Amend text as per Actions add new bullet points New bullet points should be response “Conserve and increase extent added to all Low Weald areas of clean water ponds and small for consistency and similar farm reservoirs.” and “Avoid bullet point 10 of the Low widening of characteristic Weald Generic Guidelines narrow lanes and ensure should be replaced with retention and appropriate suggested wording for second management of floristically point. diverse verges and banks.”.

Page 395 at 48.2 change This is an acceptable change Amend text. penultimate line to following “This is low-lying with expanses of woodland with some significant stretches of fenland and open standing water adjacent to the river channel.”

MAIDSTONE LANDSCAPE CHARACTER ASSESSMENT PREAMBLE

This revision has been published in response to post consultation comments and suggestions based on local knowledge from the Members of Maidstone Borough Council.

What is the Maidstone Landscape Character Assessment 2013 document? • The Maidstone Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) identifies all of the landscape types and landscape character areas that occur in the rural part of the borough (i.e. outside of the main urban area of Maidstone). For each landscape character area, the LCA contains:

- a description of the landscape and its features; - an assessment of its condition (ie the pattern of the landscape; the presence of detracting features; the state of the habitats and man- made elements within the landscape); - an assessment of its sensitivity (ie the ability of a landscape to accept change without causing irreparable damage to the distinctiveness of the landscape; a measure of the ‘sense of place’); and - landscape management guidelines .

Why do we need the Maidstone Landscape Character Assessment? • We need the LCA to help planning in the borough meet the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) in protecting and enhancing valued landscapes.

How will the Maidstone Landscape Character Assessment be used? • As a material planning consideration to be taken into account when planning applications are determined. • In conjunction with the relevant planning policies in the Maidstone Borough Local Plan and the forthcoming Landscape Character Guidelines Supplementary Planning Document. • To help ensure changes to the landscape take place in a way that maintains the local landscape character, retaining and strengthening positive landscape features. • To help ensure any new development is sustainable in location and sensitive to the local landscape character. • To inform the preparation of: - landscape management strategies; and - landscape schemes and development briefs.

What are the guidelines for landscape character areas? • The guidelines matrix and summary of actions help to provide guidance as to how best to maintain distinctive landscape character. They encourage actions which ensure positive key characteristics are protected from adverse change. They also put forward actions which can be used to help overcome the effects of more negative landscape characteristics. All of the recommended actions are locally appropriate to the character area and take into account the broader needs of the landscape type. • The summary analysis is provided for each landscape character area. It gives a broad indication of an area’s ability to accommodate change without the loss of its overall landscape integrity. This change may be how the land is managed or how the land is used. • The matrix gives a broad indication of an area’s ability of an area to accommodate change without losing its overall integrity, or uniqueness. This can help in decisions about the appropriateness of a development in a particular location, as well as its siting, type and scale. The table below sets out the sorts of landscape management actions which would be appropriate for each of the sensitivity/condition classes. • The landscape guidelines are a summary of actions that are appropriate to the character area of a location. They provide direction as to how to conserve, restore, improve or strengthen the distinctive and positive features in a landscape.

Guideline Conserve Conserve Reinforce Conserve & Conserve Improve & Restore Restore & Improve & Restore & Reinforce Improve Reinforce Improve Action Encourage Conserve Strengthen Encourage Conserve Strengthen Encourage Restore Strengthen the distinctive or reinforce the distinctive or reinforce the distinctive new conservation features distinctive conservation features distinctive restoration features features or of distinctive and features of distinctive and features of and the areas features and features in and features and features in and distinctive removal or where features in good patterns in features in good patterns in landscape mitigation existing good condition the good condition, the features of elements condition. and landscape. condition, whilst landscape, and the detracting are lost or strengthen whilst creating whilst removal or features, in poor and restoring new creating mitigation whilst condition. reinforce elements or features or new of creating those areas in areas features or detracting new features poorer where areas features. features or that may be condition and they have where they areas vulnerable. removing or been lost have been where mitigating or are in lost or are they have detracting poor in poor been lost features. condition. condition. or are in poor condition.