Stour Valley Restore

We are excited to be developing a major new project that will aim to bring about a transition in the landscape of the Stour Valley. We will work with partner organisations, at a landscape scale, to bring about positive change for the Stour Valley’s important biodiversity and heritage.

What makes the Stour Valley special?

At the heart of the Stour Valley is a globally rare chalk stream – the Great Stour – which flows through the Kent Downs National Landscape, then out to sea via the internationally protected wetlands of the Lower Stour. The valley slopes are crowned by some of the south-east’s largest ancient woodlands. Designated habitats and farmland are critical strongholds for declining species. Historically, this landscape has played a pivotal role in our national story – an entry point for peoples and beliefs fundamental to our identity.

This map defines the landscape we will work in. Our core area is shown in purple; the black lines show areas we may extend into.

A LANDSCAPE AT RISK

The Stour Valley is under pressure from a number of directions. Its habitats are vulnerable to extreme weather, driven by climate change. Priority species are at risk from agricultural intensification and invasive species.  The water environment, including wildlife-rich chalk streams and wetlands, is impacted by pollution and low flows.  The landscape is under pressure from development, while habitats are impacted by disturbance – an issue worsening as population expands.

We want to bring protected sites into better condition in a more connected landscape, with habitat restoration and creation enhancing biodiversity and access. We want to help declining species to recover, with the help of local people. Community-driven measures to capture carbon, and make landscape and heritage sites more resilient to climate change, would also benefit wildlife and create new access for people. Water environment projects would improve rivers and wetlands and mitigate against flooding. We want to work with communities to take steps to improve the environment; they would take part in thriving community heritage, education and arts programmes and learn new skills through training.

A NEW PARTNERSHIP

We have put together a working group, consisting of Canterbury City Council, Environment Agency, Kent County Council, Natural England, and South-East Water, but are also talking to many other organisations, building a broad partnership. With these partners, KSCP are developing an application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for an ‘Area Based Project’ (formerly known as a Landscape Partnership Scheme). This grant, together with other contributions, would fund the delivery of projects, to achieve a shared vision over a five year period across the Stour Valley.

Projects would be delivered under five themes.

OUR THEMES

Landscape restoration

We will work with landowners, site managers, and local authorities to improve habitat condition, climate resilience, and connectivity. We’ll engage communities in enhancing land for climate and biodiversity, and citizen science. Example: working with landowners on river restoration projects.

Species recovery

Working with conservation organisations, landowners and communities, we’ll deliver projects benefitting priority species, including control of invasive species. We’ll deliver community projects, including volunteer-led surveys to inform species-focused habitat creation. Example: working with partners to reverse the decline of turtle doves.

Heritage and landscape

Engaging people with the Stour Valley’s landscape heritage, particularly its neglected aspects. Promoting understanding of the significant role of this landscape in UK history will be a central outcome, alongside site-specific activity. Example: new trails about the importance of the Wantsum Channel as a gateway to Britain.

Learning and creativity

Activities will deliver environmental education and arts-based programmes. This theme will particularly focus on urban audiences, removing barriers for people who may not usually engage with heritage. Example: educational activities for schools about the importance of water saving.

Access and visiting

Focused on experiences and impacts of visitors, this theme will deliver improvements to greenspaces, access, and interpretation, and promote sustainable tourism. Research on behaviour/usage patterns will inform an on-site visitor engagement programme. Example: new access-for-all paths and improvements to cycle routes.

JOIN US

We know how valuable the Stour Valley is and that its communities value it too. We are building a partnership with other organisations who are also working to protect it, and want to engage local people, community groups and landowners in joining with us. We believe that by working together we can restore this special landscape.

We are inviting organisations of all sizes to put forward initiatives and projects and come on board with the project. Partnership working will bring opportunities for bodies of all kinds to make projects that may have seemed out of reach a reality. We would like to hear about any idea that would fit one of our broad themes (which are set out above) and is associated with the core or scoping areas on the map above.