Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty MANAGEMENT PLAN 2009-2014 First revision April 2009 The lady orchid (Orchis purpurea) which we have chosen as the emblem of the Kent Downs is beautiful, scarce and special to Kent, just like the downs and woodland it inhabits. Like our countryside, it is vulnerable to the pressures of change, but survives by continual renewal. We want the lady orchid and its downland home to remain alive, not remembered only in books and museums. It must thrive for future generations to enjoy. • The purpose of this Management Plan is primarily to secure the conservation and enhancement of the Kent Downs while supporting the social and economic wellbeing of its communities. This is the first review of the Kent Downs AONB Management Plan, prepared as required, by Section IV of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. We are grateful for the contribution that many individuals and organisations have made in the preparation of this revision. We hope that you will find this plan useful and informative, but more importantly that you will reflect the vision, aims and policies in your life and work. It is only with your input that we can ensure that this plan achieves its ambitious 20 year vision. The preparation of this Management Plan was supported by all of the local authorities of the Kent Downs AONB, Natural England and the European Regional Development Fund. This Management Plan has been formally adopted by all of the Local Authorities of the Kent Downs AONB. CONTENTS page Foreword 3 3.1.2 The role of this Management Plan revision 28 3.1.3 The role of Management Plan policies 28 Structure 4 3.1.4 Who is the plan for? 31 3.1.5 What will the Management Plan achieve? 31 1 Setting the scene 5 3.1.6 How has this Management Plan revision 1.1 The background to the vision for the AONB 6 been prepared? 32 1.1.1 AONB designation 7 3.1.7 Commitment and support from other 1.1.2 Definition of natural beauty and landscape 8 relevant authorities 33 1.1.3 The need for management planning 9 3.1.8 Maintaining productive partnerships 34 1.1.4 The Kent Downs 9 3.1.9 Management of the AONB – aims 34 3.1.10 Management of the AONB – policies 35 1.2 Special components of the Kent Downs AONB 13 1.2.1 The components of natural beauty 13 4 Components of natural beauty 36 1.2.2 Quality of life components 15 4.1 Landform and landscape character 37 4.1.1 Landform of the Kent Downs 38 2 A Vision for the Kent Downs AONB in 2029 19 4.1.2 The Kent Downs landscape character areas 41 2.1 The Kent Downs in 2029 20 4.1.3 Summary descriptions of Kent Downs 2.1.1 The vision for 2029 21 landscape character areas 44 4.1.4 Main issues and threats identified 58 3 The management of the Kent Downs AONB 25 4.1.5 Landform and landscape character – aims 59 3.1 The management of the Kent Downs AONB 26 4.1.6 Landform and landscape character – policies 60 3.1.1 The role of the Kent Downs AONB Partnership 26 continued 1 4.2 Biodiversity 61 4.7 Quality of life components 111 4.2.1 A duty of regard for biodiversity 61 4.7.1 Secondary purposes of AONB designation 111 CONTENTS 4.2.2 Special characteristics 62 4.2.3 Designated nature conservation sites 65 4.8 Vibrant communities 112 4.2.4 Main issues and threats identified 69 4.8.1 Special characteristics 113 4.2.5 Biodiversity – aims 70 4.8.2 Main issues and threats identified 117 4.2.6 Biodiversity – policies 71 4.8.3 Vibrant communities – aims 118 4.8.4 Vibrant communities – policies 119 4.3 Farmed landscape 72 4.3.1 Special characteristics 73 4.9 Sustainable development and travel 120 4.3.2 Main issues and threats identified 81 4.9.1 Special characteristics 121 4.3.3 Farmed landscape – aims 82 4.9.2 Main issues and threats identified 125 4.3.4 Farmed landscape – policies 83 4.9.3 Sustainable development and travel – aims 126 4.9.4 Sustainable development and travel 4.4 Woodland and trees 84 – policies 127 4.4.1 Special characteristics 85 4.4.2 Main issues and threats identified 88 4.10 Access, enjoyment and understanding 128 4.4.3 Woodland and trees – aims 89 4.10.1 Countryside access in the Kent Downs 129 4.4.4 Woodland and trees – policies 90 4.10.2 Special characteristics 130 4.10.3 Main issues and threats identified 136 4.5 Historic and cultural heritage 91 4.10.4 Access, enjoyment and understanding 4.5.1 Special characteristics 92 – aims 137 4.5.2 Main issues and threats identified 97 4.10.5 Access, enjoyment and understanding 4.5.3 Historic and Cultural Heritage – aims 98 – policies 138 4.5.4 Historic and Cultural Heritage – policies 99 5 Implementation, monitoring and review 139 4.6 Geology and natural resources 100 5.1 Implementation 140 4.6.1 Special characteristics 101 5.2 Resourcing the Management Plan 141 4.6.2 Main issues and threats identified 108 5.3 Monitoring condition 142 4.6.3 Geology and natural resources – aims 109 4.6.4 Geology and natural resources – policies 110 Abbreviations 143 back 2 FOREWORD An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is exactly what it continue to grow and we need to redouble our efforts to secure says it is: a precious landscape whose distinctive character and this fine landscape into the future. natural beauty are so outstanding that it is in the nation's interest to safeguard them. With the help and support of many hundreds of individuals and organisations we have reviewed the original Kent Downs AONB AONBs represent only 18% of the land area of England and Management Plan. This first revision builds fundamentally on the Wales. In this small proportion of the country it is the landscape original plan adopted in April 2004. that should come first. The ultimate goal of the Management Plan remains to ensure that The Kent Downs are home to some of the most enchanting the natural beauty, special character of the landscape and vitality landscapes of southern Britain. of the communities within the Kent Downs AONB are recognised, maintained and strengthened well into the future. To achieve this In 2004 the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty we need your help. partnership worked closely together to prepare and produce the first management plan for this special place. The management plan provided energy, direction and commitment and in the time since it was published much has been achieved to conserve and enhance the Kent Downs. At the same time the pressures on this landscape have been greater Chris Reynolds than we anticipated. What is clear now is that this pressure will Chairman, Kent Downs AONB Joint Advisory Committee 3 STRUCTURE This is the first revision of the Kent Downs AONB Management characteristics, the main issues and threats identified through Plan. consultation and intelligence gathering, the aims and policies are defined. In response to consultation the structure of the plan has changed from the original in an attempt to make it more logical and easier Landform and landscape character to navigate. Biodiversity Farmed landscape This plan is set out in the following sections: Woodland and trees Historic and cultural heritage 1 Setting the scene An introduction to the AONB, the need for Geology and natural resources management planning and a statement of the special Vibrant communities components of natural beauty of the AONB and the main Sustainable development and travel issues and threats relating to them. Access, enjoyment and understanding 2 The 20 Year Vision for the AONB An aspirational and 5 Finally the plan considers implementation, monitoring inspirational portrayal of the Kent Downs AONB in 2029. and review To be reported in AONB annual reviews publicising Developed from the understanding of the special achievements and rolling forward actions. Indicators will characteristics and threats. The Management Plan then sets establish if our policies are achieving the aims and visions. out how the vision can become reality. 6 Action Plan A separate Action Plan has been prepared in 3 The Management of the AONB A description of the main partnership with the local authorities and other key management arrangements for stakeholders and partners and stakeholders involved in the development of the plan. The provides a description of the formulation of AONB Policies. Action Plan sets out what will be done, by whom and when. To achieve policies and to be reactive to change the Action Plan 4 Components of Natural Beauty A separate description for will be reviewed annually. each component of the vision the plan sets out; the special 4 SETTING THE SCENE 1 Background to the vision for the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty AONB designation Definition of natural beauty and landscape The need for management planning The Kent Downs Special components of the Kent Downs AONB The components of natural beauty Quality of life components 5 THE 1 BACKGROUND SETTING TO THE VISION THE SCENE 1.1 THE BACKGROUND TO THE VISION FOR THE AONB There is no doubt that the landscape of the Kent The Kent Downs AONB is a nationally important landscape Downs is special. There is drama and intimacy; and one of the most enchanting parts of southern England.