OWN H E D S ON T P U Up on the Downs The White Cliffs Landscape Partnership Scheme Landscape Conservation Action Plan UpontheDowns:TheWhiteCliffsLandscapePartnershipScheme UpontheDowns:TheWhiteCliffsLandscapePartnershipScheme Contents ExecutiveSummary 5 Introduction 7 Section1: UnderstandingtheWhiteCliffs LandscapePartnershipSchemeArea 11 1.1 Landscape Character 11 1.2 The Heritage of the White Cliffs Landscape Partnership Scheme Area 29 1.3 The History of the Landscape 37 1.4 Context 41 1.5 Management information 42 Section2: StatementofSignificance 55 2.1 Introduction 55 2.2 Landscape 55 2.3 Natural Heritage 57 2.4 Archaeological and Built Heritage 60 2.5 Twentieth Century Military Heritage 64 2.6 Historical Significance 66 2.7 Cultural and Human Significance 67 2.8 Importance to Local Communities 69 Landscape Landscape 1 ConservationActionPlan ConservationActionPlan UpontheDowns:TheWhiteCliffsLandscapePartnershipScheme UpontheDowns:TheWhiteCliffsLandscapePartnershipScheme Section3: RisksandOpportunities 72 Section5: SchemePlanandCosts 104 3.1 Introduction 72 5.1 Introduction 104 3.2 Loss of Chalk Grassland Habitats, Species and 5.2 Cost Comparison 105 Landscape Character 72 Programme A: Conserve and Restore 124 3.3 Lack of Understanding 74 Programme B: Community Participation 171 3.4 Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour 76 Programme C: Access and Learning 195 3.5 Recreational Pressure and Visitor Numbers 77 Programme D: Training and Skills 238 3.6 Development 78 Programme E: Staff Costs and Overheads 271 3.7 Changes in Land Management and Loss of Traditional Skills 79 3.8 Climate Change 80 Section6: Sustainability 272 3.9 Forgetting the Past 81 6.1 Introduction 272 3.10 Lack of Resources 82 6.2 Programme A: Conserve and Restore 272 3.11 Audience Barriers 82 6.3 Programme B: Community Participation 273 3.12 Partnership Based Risks 84 6.4 Programme C: Access and Learning 274 Section4: AimsandObjectives 86 6.5 Programme D: Training and Skills 275 6.6 Landscape Heritage Grants 275 4.1 The Vision 86 6.7 The Partnership 276 4.2 Aims and Objectives 86 6.8 Exit Strategy 277 4.3 Programme A: Conserve and Restore 88 4.4 Programme B: Community Participation 92 Section7:EvaluationandMonitoring 278 4.5 Programme C: Access and Learning 96 7.1 Introduction 278 4.6 Programme D: Training and Skills 101 7.2 Monitoring Progress 278 7.3 Monitoring Outputs 279 7.4 Evaluating Outcomes 281 7.5 Sharing the Results of Evaluation 282 2 Landscape Landscape 3 ConservationActionPlan ConservationActionPlan UpontheDowns:TheWhiteCliffsLandscapePartnershipScheme UpontheDowns:TheWhiteCliffsLandscapePartnershipScheme Section8: AdoptionandReview 283 Executive Summary The White Cliffs Landscape Partnership Scheme area hosts some of the most Bibliography 284 instantly recognisable landscapes in Britain including the iconic White Cliffs of Dover. The scheme area’s interior includes quintessential and distinctive chalk landscapes with a wealth of built and archaeological heritage and a richness of Appendix1: wildlife unmatched by many parts of Britain. ProtectedandBAPSpeciesintheSchemeArea 286 However, very few people realise that this is a landscape under threat: often poorly managed and Appendix2: not understood in an area of ScheduledSitesintheSchemeArea 307 significant social and economic decline. This lack of understanding, changes in agriculture, the legacy Appendix3: of deprivation and the pressure of development are all threats to this LandscapeHeritageGrantsDraftGuidance landscape. andApplicationForms 313 Through extensive consultation with local communities and organisations a narrative for this landscape emerged, leading to an agreed set of priorities for its DanPhoto: Tuson conservation and long-term care. Downland near Lydden Principal among these are conserving and restoring the chalk downland landscape and its cultural heritage for the future; and increasing access to, and understanding and enjoyment of, its historic origins and importance as a heritage asset. The White Cliffs Landscape Partnership Scheme will work with local communities to deliver a programme of action that will achieve these priorities. The scheme will encourage local communities to participate in caring for and celebrating the landscape and its heritage, helping them to make decisions about it and providing them with the skills to contribute to its long-term care. The momentum and enthusiasm generated by the scheme will provide a legacy for the White Cliffs Landscape Partnership and ensure that the benefits are sustained into the future for all. 4 Landscape Landscape 5 ConservationActionPlan ConservationActionPlan UpontheDowns:TheWhiteCliffsLandscapePartnershipScheme UpontheDowns:TheWhiteCliffsLandscapePartnershipScheme Introduction This Landscape Conservation Action Plan (LCAP) relates to an area of approximately 122.5 km2 in the south east of Kent that runs from Kingsdown in the east, along the coastline to Folkestone and the Etchinghill escarpment in the west. The scheme area extends north to Denton to create a roughly triangular shape that covers two local authority areas: Dover and Shepway. Although the focus of Landscape Partnerships is on the rural landscape, the scheme area contains the whole of Dover town and parts of Folkestone. This is in recognition of the significance of urban fringe areas and communities in the conservation of the historic landscape character. PlanAuthor The LCAP has been written by Richard Haynes, Development Manager for the White Cliffs Landscape Partnership Scheme (WCLPS). Richard has over 10 year’s experience of working in the environmental sector; most recently he was responsible for delivering an integrated range of landscape and heritage projects as part of the delivery team for the Valley of Visions Landscape Partnership Scheme. The development stage and the production of the LCAP has been overseen by the WCLPS Board, the members of which have dedicated time and advice to the development of the scheme: Nick Delaney – Dover District Council (DDC) Richard Pollard – DDC Dave Johnson - Eurotunnel Kate Phillips – Kent County Council (KCC) Nick Johannsen – Kent Downs AONB Unit (KDAONB)/ Chairman of the Partnership John McAllister – Kent Wildlife Trust (KWT) Christina Dandison – Natural England (NE) Dan Tuson – NE Brian Whittaker – National Trust (NT) David Illsley – Shepway District Council (SDC) Kirk Alexander – White Cliffs Countryside Partnership (WCCP) Figure 1: The White Cliffs Landscape Partnership Scheme White Cliffs Landscape area 1: The Figure 6 Landscape Landscape 7 ConservationActionPlan ConservationActionPlan UpontheDowns:TheWhiteCliffsLandscapePartnershipScheme UpontheDowns:TheWhiteCliffsLandscapePartnershipScheme In addition, a number of individuals have provided support and advice which has Once the results of the consultation had been collated and used to help shape the been invaluable: Andrew Richardson and Keith Parfitt (Canterbury Archaeological scheme, a consultation open day was held to present project proposals to local Trust), Paul Holt (WCCP), Josie Newman (WCCP), Kim Norton (DDC), Jon Iveson (DDC), communities. Attendees were able to participate in a range of activities that could Tim Owen (KDAONB), Ian Norman (Pent Valley Technology College), Peter Fellows be run as part of the delivery phase. They were encouraged to provide opinions on (West Wight Landscape Partnership), Joanna Jones and Clare Smith (Dover Arts individual projects and the scheme in general. Development), Zachary Cooke (Folkestone Film Factory), Doug Taylor (National Farmers’ Union), and Anita Sedgewick. Somecommentsreceivedfromattendeeswere: “Excellent project and very important. Hopefully this will ParticipationandConsultation encourage people to help in the development of these ideas. Good luck to all those involved.” As illustrated above a wide range of organisations and individuals have participated in and been consulted about the development of the LCAP. In addition, further key “Really looking forward to seeing the project in action.” officers, individuals and community and special interest groups have been consulted “Great work – enjoy the walks. Would like to help one day.” to understand their priorities for the heritage of the scheme area – this has been influential in shaping the scheme. “It’s good, keep everything original. Don’t go over the top! “ Consultation working groups were “It’s nice to see something for younger people to get involved set up to develop themes and in that benefits the environment and the community.” projects. These included a schools “Great to see funding available to engage young people in working group, a heritage working caring for the environment.” group and a community engagement and environmental education working group. TheWCLPSVision Presentations have been made to parish councils and at the local The WCLPS will deliver a suite of projects to achieve its vision: National Farmers’ Union AGM to inform and consult with people Through creating, developing, deepening and strengthening partnerships about the proposals. with local communities and organisations, investing in the area and increasing skills and knowledge, we will provide a sustainable future for the In addition, two surveys were carried landscape and heritage of one of Britain’s most significant and threatened out to get a better understanding of landscapes. By using new ways to engage with new and existing audiences, how local people use and value the increasing understanding about the landscape and the different values local heritage and their level of Anita SedgewickPhoto: