managing development and the environment · 2012. 2. 3. · infrastructure network diagram in the...

MANAGINGDEVELOPMENT

AND THEENVIRONMENT

Part of theLocal Development Framework

for Tonbridge and Malling

March 2009

GreenInfrastructure

Report

Development Plan Document

Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council

LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

Managing Development and the Environment


Green Infrastructure Report

March 2009

LDF: Tonbridge and Malling Green Infrastructure Report – March 2009 CONTENTS Page 1. Introduction – Purpose of Report 1 2. Context 1 3. What is Green Infrastructure? 2 4. Why do we need a Green Infrastructure Network? 2 5. What benefits can be delivered through a GI Network? 4 6. Methodology & Analysis 5 7. Conclusion 12 Key Diagram 13 Background Maps 15 Map 1: Open Spaces 15 Map 2: Ecological Network 16 Map 3: Nature Conservation and Landscape Designations 17 Map 4: Historic Parks & Gardens 18 Map 5: Rivers and Water Bodies 19 Map 6: Strategic Transport Routes 20 Appendix 1: Kent Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Targets 21 Appendix 2: Local Wildlife Sites 23 Appendix 3: Historic Parks and Gardens 25 Appendix 4: Green Infrastructure Workshop Invitees and Attendees 26 Bibliography 27

LDF: Tonbridge and Malling Green Infrastructure Report – March 2009


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1. Introduction – Purpose of Report

1.1 The purpose of this report is to explain and document how the Green Infrastructure Network Diagram in the Managing Development and the Environment Development Plan Document (MDE DPD) was developed. It initially sets out the geographical context for the Borough, followed by a definition of Green Infrastructure. The report then proceeds to set out why a Green Infrastructure Network Diagram needs to be produced and what the benefits are before detailing the methodology and analysis for the production of the final Diagram.

2. Context

2.1 The Borough of Tonbridge and Malling is located in West Kent mostly within the outer part of the Metropolitan Green Belt. Much of the north of the Borough is encompassed by the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Immediately to the east lies Maidstone. Sevenoaks is located some 10km to the west with Tunbridge Wells to the south close to the market town of Tonbridge.

2.2 Most of the Borough is rural in character, with villages and small towns of varying size and character. It stretches north, beyond the M2 motorway, encompassing Blue Bell Hill village and parts of Rochester Airfield and Walderslade on top of the North Downs, and south to the market town of Tonbridge.

2.3 The geography, landscape and biodiversity of the Borough is dictated by the underlying geology with alternating bands of hard and soft rock leading to a strong east-west grain to the landscape. This geological sequence is important in determining the character of the landscape and the historic nature of land use, with predominantly agricultural uses on the low-lying areas historically including orchards and hop growing, and more recently intensive soft fruit farming. On the upland areas woodland dominates. Some of these areas of woodland in the north of the Borough have been identified as being of international importance for nature conservation. The underlying geology has also resulted in extensive areas of quarrying, some still active, but with much land despoiled by former quarrying activity.

2.4 The River Medway and its tributaries pass through both the north and south of the Borough and have significantly influenced the history and development of the area. An extensive area of the Borough lies in the floodplain of the River Medway, the potential impact of which in Tonbridge is reduced to some extent by the Leigh Barrier immediately west of the town. Much of the floodplain is also of significance for biodiversity with extensive areas of the lower Medway Valley being designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

2.5 The Borough also supports a range of habitats which in turn, support a wide range of species. The diversity of the natural and cultural environment within Tonbridge and Malling is one of the Borough’s great


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assets and many of the existing landscapes and spaces are accessible to the public. But, as the resident population of the Borough grows, access to the existing areas and provision of new ones will need to be managed to ensure high quality, distinct urban and rural landscapes, accessible diverse open spaces and wildlife habitats that will allow species to move across the landscape. Together, these assets and their different functions make up a network of green infrastructure across the Borough.

3. What is Green Infrastructure?

3.1 Green Infrastructure (GI) is a strategically planned and delivered network of high quality connected green spaces and other environmental features. It needs to be identified and managed as a multi-functional resource capable of delivering a wide range of environmental and quality of life benefits for local communities and should aim to promote sustainable access within urban areas, as well as to and from the urban rural fringe and the countryside beyond.

3.2 GI can consist of public and private assets, with and without public access, in urban and rural locations and can include:

• Parks and gardens – including urban parks, country parks and

formal gardens • Natural and semi-natural urban greenspaces • Green corridors – including river and canal banks, cycleways and

rights of way • Outdoor sports facilities (with natural or artificial surfaces) • Amenity greenspace – including informal recreational spaces,

greenspaces in and around housing, domestic gardens and village greens

• Provision for children and teenagers • Allotments, community gardens, and city (urban) farms • Cemeteries and churchyards • Accessible countryside in urban fringe areas • River and canal corridors • Historic parks and gardens and historic landscapes • Sites designated for nature conservation value

4. Why do we need a Green Infrastructure Network?

4.1 A series of key documents set out the policy context for GI and emphasise the need for such networks to be multi-functional in nature. A GI network will provide a strategic vision which can guide private and public investment in green spaces and provide guidance on how the green areas should be protected, managed and enhanced and where appropriate extended.


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4.2 The concept of GI aims to ensure that environmental assets of natural, recreational and cultural value are integrated within development proposals and built infrastructure planning at the earliest stage. This approach enables land management to be more proactive and sensitive, less reactive, and better integrated with efforts to manage growth and development at all spatial planning levels.

PLANNING AND CLIMATE CHANGE SUPPLEMENT TO PPS1 In deciding which areas and sites are suitable, and for what type and intensity of development, planning authorities should take into account . . . . . . . the contribution to be made from existing and new opportunities for open space and green infrastructure to urban cooling, sustainable drainage systems, and conserving and enhancing biodiversity. PPS9: BIODIVERSITY AND GEOLOGICAL CONSERVATION Networks of natural habitats provide a valuable resource. They can link sites of biodiversity importance and provide routes or stepping stones for the migration, dispersal and genetic exchange of species in the wider environment. Local authorities should aim to maintain networks by avoiding or repairing the fragmentation and isolation of natural habitats through policies in plans. Such networks should be protected from development, and, where possible, strengthened by or integrated within it. This may be done as part of a wider strategy for the protection and extension of open space and access routes such as canals and rivers, including those within urban areas. PPG17: PLANNING FOR OPEN SPACE, SPORT AND RECREATION Supporting an urban renaissance - local networks of high quality and well managed and maintained open spaces, sports and recreational facilities help create urban environments that are attractive, clean and safe. Green spaces in urban areas perform vital functions as areas for nature conservation and biodiversity and by acting as 'green lungs' can assist in meeting objectives to improve air quality.


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SOUTH EAST PLAN1 POLICY CC8: GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE Local authorities and partners should work together to plan, provide and manage connected and substantial networks of accessible multi-functional green space. Networks should be planned to include both existing and new green infrastructure. They should be managed with the primary aim of maintaining and improving biodiversity, but should also deliver recreational and cultural benefits and ensure that an improved and healthy environment is available for the benefit of present and future communities. The provisions of this policy apply region-wide. However, the successful designation and management of Green Infrastructure will be particularly important in areas designated as regional hubs, in areas close to sites of international ecological importance and in areas identified for significant growth (Strategic Development Areas). 5. What benefits can be delivered through a GI Network?

5.1 Well designed and integrated GI can help to deliver a range of benefits for both people and wildlife. These can include:

• Improving health and well being by encouraging exercise, sport,

active recreation, spiritual well-being and quiet contemplation • Promoting a sense of community • Helping to reduce crime, fear of crime and anti-social behaviour • Providing resources for learning and training • Helping to establish local identity and a sense of place • Improving environmental quality e.g. better air and water quality,

local climate control and noise attenuation • Reducing pollution by increasing vegetation cover and by

encouraging walking, cycling and horse riding to reduce dependency on the private car

• Contributing to sustainable drainage and flood mitigation • Providing the opportunity to protect, recreate, rehabilitate and

create landscapes and habitats damaged by, or lost to, previous development.

• Allowing for species to adapt to changing climate through linking habitats to ease migration. Functional connectivity between areas of wildlife habitat is likely to make it easier for populations of

1 Proposed change – July 2008


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species to move across the landscape in response to environmental change

• Helping to protect and enhance biodiversity. Small, isolated areas of habitat are likely to hold proportionately fewer species than larger areas, and the populations of these species are likely to be more vulnerable to local extinction. Large, inter-connected areas of habitat are more likely to be sustainable in the long-term as natural processes can act to maintain habitats, and there is less need for deliberate management

• Contributing to the protection, management and enhancement of historic and natural sites and areas

• Reducing land management costs • Providing an enhanced environmental backdrop that will assist in

attracting business and inward investment. • Promoting sustainable transport by providing a permeable and

logical network of routes between key destinations and green spaces to encourage walking, cycling and horse riding.

6. Methodology & Analysis

Stage 1

6.1 The first stage in the preparation of the GI Network involved an analysis of the various existing environmental assets in the Tonbridge and Malling Borough.

PPG17 Open Space Strategy

6.2 In accordance with the companion guide to PPG17, the Council has prepared and adopted an Open Space Strategy (OSS). This involved an audit of existing open spaces (over 450 sites) ranging from parks and gardens and outdoor sports facilities to natural green spaces and allotments, as well as an assessment of local need. These sites are illustrated in Map 1. The outcomes of the Strategy provided the evidence base for the open space policies in the MDE DPD. In particular, the Strategy identified all existing publicly accessible open spaces that need to be afforded protection and, in some cases, enhancement, as well as a set of locally derived quantitative, qualitative and accessibility standards for securing future new provision.

A Living Landscape for the South East

6.3 Kent Wildlife Trust has developed A Living Landscape for the South East2 – an ecological network mapping model to demonstrate how a co-ordinated approach to habitat restoration, enhancement and re-creation can function at a strategic scale.

2 The Wildlife Trust (2006) A Living Landscape for the South East


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6.4 The ecological network model for Kent maps:

• Existing habitat areas, with priority given to Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) habitats and designated sites, the largest blocks and then those closest to them;

• Areas of biodiversity opportunity3 where new habitats of the same type might most appropriately be restored or re-created within a threshold distance of an existing habitat patch (using the opportunity mapping developed as part of the Kent Landscapes Information System project developed by Kent County Council4.)

6.5 Map 2 illustrates the ecological network for the four key BAP habitats

that have been identified, in consultation with Kent Wildlife Trust and Kent County Council, as being a priority for Tonbridge and Malling. These are:

• Woodland • Chalk Grassland • Acid Grassland and Heath • Wetland

Nature Conservation and Landscape Designations

6.6 The character and quality of Tonbridge and Malling’s landscape is reflected by the many designations that protect large parts of it. Map 3 shows the key landscape and nature conservation designations including the Special Areas of Conservation at Peters Pit and the North Downs Woodland, the Kent Downs AONB, the High Weald AONB, the Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Local Wildlife Sites and Regionally Important Geological Sites. The map clearly highlights the value of Tonbridge and Malling’s landscape from an international to a local scale.

Historic Parks & Gardens

6.7 There are a number of historic parks and gardens within the Borough, ranging in size from large parklands to individual gardens. Not all of these sites are accessible to the public, however access rights are not required for the sites to act as resource to enable movement of species. Map 4 identifies the location of these sites.

6.8 A summary of the Borough’s environmental assets is set out in Figure 1 below. Details of the extent and targets for each of the Kent Biodiversity Action Plan habitats are set out in Appendix 1.

3 Area of Biodiversity Opportunity identified in response to Policy NRM5: Conservation and Improvement of Biodiversity in the South East Plan

4 http://extranet7.kent.gov.uk/klis/home.htm


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Figure 1: Summary of green space assets

Type Number of units Name Special Areas of Conservation (SACs)

2 North Downs Woodland Peters Pit

Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs)

11 One Tree Hill and Bitchet Common Oldbury and Seal Chart Aylesford Pit Trottiscliffe Meadows Bourne Alder Carr Houlder and Monarch Hill Pits Wateringbury Peters Pit Halling to Trottiscliffe Escarpment Wouldham to Detling Escarpment Holborough and Burham Marshes

Local Wildlife Sites (LWSs) 45 See Appendix 2 Regionally Important Geological Sites (RIGS)

9 Aylesford Pit Hays Depot Yard Wagon’s Pit, Aylesford Lower Culand Pit Ditton Court Quarry Hale Street Quarry Oldbury Hill Blaise Farm Quarry Peter’s Pit

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)

1 Ditton Court Quarry

Historic Parks and Gardens 23 See Appendix 3 Parks and Gardens 9 Amenity green spaces 102 Outdoor sports facilities 140 Children’s and young people’s play areas

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Natural and semi-natural green spaces

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Allotments 31 Cemeteries 38

See Open Space Strategy for site details

6.9 In addition, the following information was also considered.


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River and water bodies

6.10 The River Medway runs through the North Downs in the north of the Borough and through the centre of Tonbridge in the south. In addition, a number of its tributaries also run through Tonbridge and Malling.

6.11 As well as the rivers, there is also a series of lakes, predominantly found around Leybourne in the north and to the west of Tonbridge in the south, and a network of smaller ponds distributed throughout the Borough.

6.12 This network of waterways provides a range of valuable habitats, as well as offering recreation and leisure uses. Map 5 illustrates the distribution of rivers and water bodies.

Public Rights of Way and Strategic transport routes

6.13 A significant network of Public Rights of Way exists within the Borough linking urban areas with the surrounding countryside, and neighbourhoods with local destinations such as parks and other managed green spaces.

6.14 There are several strategic long distance footpaths such as the North

Downs Way, the Greensand Way and the Wealdway, as well as cycle routes including Regional Route 12 and proposed National Route 17 which run through the Borough.

6.15 In addition, there are various strategic transport routes that run through Tonbridge and Malling, including the M20, M26 and M2 motorways, and the Medway Valley, the Maidstone East, the Redhill to Tonbridge, the Hastings, and the South Eastern Main Line railways. The Channel Tunnel Rail Link also passes through the northern section of the Borough. These routes are illustrated on Map 6 . Although the primary function of these routes is to facilitate the movement of people, transport corridors can act as routeways for species migration and the Roadside Nature Reserve scheme can enhance existing habitats to increase their nature conservation value. Conversely, transport infrastructure can also act as a barrier to non-motorised movement and species migration as the number of crossing points across such routes is often limited or unsuitable for species migration.

Opportunity sites

6.16 Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council has an adopted Core Strategy Development Plan Document (DPD), Development Land Allocations DPD and Tonbridge Central Area Action Plan. These documents form part of the Local Development Framework for the Borough and identify key locations for new development. Locations where large-scale new developments are proposed include:


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• Tonbridge Town Centre • Isles Quarry West, Borough Green • Preston Hall, Aylesford • Kings Hill

6.17 In addition, the approved new settlements at Leybourne Grange and

Peter’s Village have also been identified due to their scale (700 and 1000 units respectively). In association with the Peter’s Village development, a new vehicular river crossing has also been approved which will connect the West bank of the River Medway, to the East bank. Finally, land at Bushey Wood on the east bank of the Medway has also been identified. This is a broad area of opportunity identified in the Core Strategy for future development to meet residential needs in the post 2021 period.

Stage 2

6.18 The second stage in the process involved mapping each of these individual assets to help identify strategic GI within the Borough including principal green corridors and secondary links between them, urban to rural fringe links, and within these, Areas of Biodiversity Opportunity.

6.19 The analysis of the environmental asset data and the identification of

the GI was principally informed by a stakeholder workshop that was held in January 2009. A list of those organisations involved in the workshop can be found in Appendix 4.

6.20 The workshop was structured into multi-disciplinary group work. Each of the 3 groups was provided with an identical set of baseline data for the environmental assets listed in Figure 1 plus maps of the four key habitats in the Borough. Groups were then asked to use this data to produce a diagram identifying multi-functional green routes within and across the borough, taking into consideration the differing functions of the land and data from neighbouring local authorities where available. In addition, the groups were also asked to consider how the GI network could best be illustrated diagrammatically and provide comments on possible delivery and implementation mechanisms. At the end of the session, groups were asked to present their diagrams and participants were given the opportunity to comment. The outputs of the group work can be seen in Figure 2.


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Figure 2: Group diagrams

Group1

Group 2

Group 3


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6.21 In addition, a number of key points emerged from the group work including:

• Corridors need to be multi-functional where possible. • Green Infrastructure links should follow existing long distance

footpaths including the Weald Way, Greensand Way and the North Downs Way, the riverside footpath in Tonbridge, and cycle routes including the Tonbridge to Penshurst route.

• Links to Maidstone’s green wedges east of the Borough needed. • Acid grass and heath is the key habitat for Tunbridge Wells BC. • Woodland and acid grass and heath are key habitats for

Sevenoaks and so links are important in the west of Tonbridge and Malling Borough.

• Kings Hill severs a potential GI link running from Tunbridge Wells and into Maidstone. Therefore landscaping and the promotion of green routes through Kings Hill are important in order to reinforce this link.

• Development allocations in central Tonbridge present opportunities for strengthening a multi-functional East-West Principal Green Corridor running south of the Borough

• The new bridge across the River Medway from Halling to the East Bank is a key area of opportunity for providing links across the river for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

• A footpath along the East bank of the River Medway will come forward through Valley of Visions.

• The East-West M20/A20 and rail corridor could be managed for nature conservation through Roadside Nature Reserve initiatives.

• The riverside footpath in Tonbridge is a key feature for allowing movement through the urban area.

• Strong existing West-East links, fewer North-South links. • Most West-East links are vehicular routes. • Woodland species only travel a short distance so woodland habitat

cannot be too fragmented or it will not be viable. However, other initiatives such as hedgerow improvements and environmental stewardship schemes can provide links between areas of woodland.

• The network of rural lanes helps to allow access between settlements. However non-vehicular users do not make maximum use of them due to concerns over traffic levels and safety in the dark.

• There are historic trade routes that provide North-South footpaths from the North Downs in Gravesham and Medway.

• Woodland habitats do not continue into central Maidstone due to the presence of a large built up area and high grade agricultural land. Instead, woodland is confined to the top of the North Downs.


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7. Conclusion

7.1 The group diagrams and discussion points above were then synthesised into a single draft diagram (see Figure 3).

Figure 3

7.2 The above diagram was then refined to produce a Green Infrastructure

Network Diagram for Tonbridge and Malling Borough (see Key Diagram). This GI Network Diagram illustrates the Strategic Green Infrastructure of the Borough, which provides the overall framework for a network of smaller routes and habitat enhancement projects.


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Background Maps

Map 1: Open Spaces


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Map 2: Ecological Network


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Map 3: Nature Conservation and Landscape Designations


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Map 4: Historic Parks & Gardens


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Map 5: Rivers and Water Bodies


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Map 6: Strategic Transport Routes


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Appendix 1: Kent Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Targets

UK BAP BROAD

HABITAT

UK BAP PRIORITY HABITAT

TOTAL RESOURCE (ha)

2003-2010 (ha)

2011-2020 (ha)

2021-2026 (ha)

Maintain Enhance & restore

Create & re-create


Create & re-create


Create & re-create

Acid grassland 375 161 37 30 187 56 30 204 75 15 Lowland dry

acid grassland 375 162 38 30 187 56 30 204 75 15

Arable and horticulture 149,713 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Cereal field

margins Data unavailable no data no data no data no data no data no data no data no data no data

Boundary and linear features Ancient species-

rich hedgerows Data unavailable no data no data no data no data no data no data no data no data no data

Bracken 240 148 240 No net loss 160 240 No net loss 165 240 No net loss Broadleaved, mixed and yew woodland

45,217 5,661 4,522 3,617 9,898 6,782 3,617 13,838 9,043 1,809

Lowland beech and yew woodland

557 217 56 45 260 83 45 291 111 22

Lowland wood pasture and parkland

3,240 217 324 259 319 486 259 410 648 130

Wet woodland 231 68 23 18 91 35 18 109 46 9 Built up areas and gardens 52,033 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a Calcareous grassland 1,659 535 415 249 711 663 332 859 829 166 Lowland

calcareous grassland

1,659 535 415 249 711 664 332 859 830 166

Coniferous woodland 3,813 341 381 305 904 572 305 1,449 763 153 Dwarf shrub heath 53 8 32 4 18 37 4 28 43 2 Lowland heath 53 8 32 4 18 37 4 28 43 2 Fen, marsh and swamp 1,014 679 507 81 746 659 81 776 760 41 Lowland fen 69 45 17 6 51 28 6 54 35 3 Reedbeds 477 324 95 95 353 167 95 365 358 48 Improved grassland 97,275 3,372 9,727 7,782 4,426 14,591 7,782 5,302 19,455 3,891 Coastal and

floodplain grazing marsh

26,453 7,316 2,645 2,116 8,280 3,968 2,116 8,860 5,291 1,058

a) tidal floodplain grazing marsh

19,630 7,281 1,963 1,570 8,071 2,9445 1,570 8,477 3,926 785

b) fluvial floodplain grazing marsh

6,823 35 682 546 210 1,023 546 383 1,365 273

Inland rock 1,225 56 12 No net loss 70 37 No net loss 81 61 No net loss


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UK BAP BROAD

HABITAT


TOTAL RESOURCE (ha)

2003-2010 (ha)

2011-2020 (ha)

2021-2026 (ha)

Inshore sediment 2 1 1 No net lost 1 1 No net loss 1 1 No net loss Saline lagoons 242 216 26 No net loss 231 11 No net loss 235 7 No net loss Seagrass beds Data unavailable Littoral rock 681 551 130 No net loss 581 100 No net loss 582 99 No net loss Littoral chalk 419 359 60 No net loss 378 41 No net loss 378 41 No net loss Littoral sediment 11,807 9,781 506 No net loss 10,337 588 No net loss 10,378 715 No net loss Mudflats 10,198 8,408 895 No net loss 8,875 1,059 No net loss 8,899 1,300 No net loss Coastal

saltmarsh 1,451 1,301 149 No net loss 1,382 69 No net loss 1,393 57 No net loss

Neutral grassland 13,020 4,778 130 130 5,456 260 - 5,883 391 130 Lowland

meadow 658 65 593 658 117 541 - 166 492 658

Rivers and streams 3,098 Chalk rivers Data unavailable no data no data no data no data no data no data no data no data no data Supralittoral rock 232 168 12 No net loss 178 19 No net loss 178 23 No net loss Maritime cliff

and slope 127 115 12 No net loss 122 6 No net loss 122 6 No net loss

Supralittoral sediment 2,281 1,813 47 No net loss 1,944 135 No net loss 1,980 150 No net loss Coastal sand

dunes 233 176 58 No net loss 187 47 No net loss 188 45 No net loss

Coastal vegetated shingle

691 555 136 No net loss 602 89 No net loss 619 72 No net loss

Standing water and canals 4,662 1,163 93 47 1,407 186 - 1,590 233 47


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Appendix 2: Local Wildlife Sites

Site Code Site Name Parish TM13 Addington Meadow Addington TM16 Aylesford Old Pit Aylesford TM25 Eccles Old Pit Aylesford TM28 Frith Woods etc. Kit’s Coty Aylesford TM57/MA57 Blue Bell Hill Banks and Verges Aylesford/Boxley TM27 Bourne Valley woods Borough Green MA67 Walderslade Woods Boxley/Aylesford TM9/ME9 Bridge Woods etc.Burham Burham/

Wouldham TW19 Somerhill Park, Tonbridge Capel TM58 Ditton Court Quarry Ditton TM12/MA12 Oaken Wood, Barming East Malling/

Ditton/Barming TM30 Leybourne Lakes etc. Snodland East Malling/

Larkfield/Snodland TM19 East Peckham Ponds East Peckham TM20 East Tonbridge Copses & Dykes East Peckham/ Hadlow TM18/MA18 Hale Street Ponds & Pasture East Peckham/ Yalding TM5 Wrotham Downs etc Goudhurst TM22 Golden Stable Wood, North Frith Hadlow TM3/ME3 River Medway & Marshes, Wouldham

(adjoining SSSI) Halling/ Wouldham

TM10/ME10 South Hill & Houlder Quarries Halling/ Snodland

TM38 Kings Hill Golf Course, Cattering and Hoath Woods

Kings Hill

TM26/SE26 River Medway etc. South of Leigh Leigh TM15 Leybourne Wood etc Leybourne TM37 St Lawrence Church, Mereworth Mereworth TM33/MA33 Woods & pasture, Nettlestead Green Nettlestead/East PeckahmTM34 Disused Quarry, Offham Offham TM11 Moorlands Wood, Offham Offham TM32 Mereworth Woods (East) Offham/Mereworth/ West

Malling TM2 Valley Wood & Wrotham Golf Course Platt/Offham TM1 Boot Wood, Yopps Green Plaxtol TM6 Hampston’s Paddock, Nr Dunk’s Green Plaxtol SE42 One Tree Hill, Underriver Seal TM24 Shipbourne Common Shipbourne TM8 Wood, Dunk’s Green Shipbourne TM35 Arable field, Lad’s Farm, Upper Halling

(extra to SSSI) Snodland

TM17 Snodland Meadow Snodland TM14/GR14 White Horse Wood & Holly Hill (adj.

Halling to Trottiscliffe SSSI) Snodland/Birling/ Luddesdown

TW50/TM50 Vauxhall Lane Woods, Southborough Tonbridge/ Southborough


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Site Code Site Name Parish TM41 Chalk Meadows, Trottisclifffe Trottiscliffe TM59 Fields near Wrotham Water, Trottiscliffe Trottiscliffe TM29 Ryarsh Wood Trottiscliffe/

Addington/Ryarsh TM4 Orchards, Woods & Pasture, Trottiscliffe Trottiscliffe/ Wrotham TM61 St Mary’s Churchyard, West Malling West Malling TM60 Hazel Wood & Paddling Brook Shaw,

West Peckham West Peckham

TM31 Mereworth Woods (West) West Peckham/ Platt/Mereworth/ Plaxtol/Offham

TM55/SE55 Wrotham Hill Wrotham


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Appendix 3: Historic Parks and Gardens

Site Name Parish The Friars, Aylesford Aylesford Clare House East Malling and Larkfield Hatton Garden, Bradbourne House

East Malling and Larkfield

Roydon Hall East Peckham Oxen Hoath Hadlow Foxbush Hildenborough Ightham Court Ightham Ightham Mote Ightham Mere House Mereworth Mereworth Castle Mereworth Great Comp, Platt Platt Fairlawne Plaxtol Fairhill Shipbourne Mabledon Park Tonbridge North Frith Tonbridge Somerhill Park Tonbridge Wateringbury Place

Wateringbury

Douces Manor and Manor Park West Malling Malling Place and Gundulf’s Meadow

West Malling

West Malling Abbey and Pilsdon Community

West Malling

Hamptons Farmhouse

West Peckham

Yotes Court West Peckham Yaldham Manor Wrotham


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Appendix 4: Green Infrastructure Workshop Invitees and Attendees

Representative of the following organisations attended the Green Infrastructure workshop: Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (Planning and Leisure) Kent County Council Maidstone Borough Council Sevenoaks District Council Medway Council Gravesham Borough Council Kent Wildlife Trust Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit Ramblers Association British Horse Society Greening the Gateway Kent & Medway Environment Agency Valley of Visions Landscape Partnership Medway Valley Countryside Partnership Kent Countryside Access Forum In addition to those listed above, the following organisation were also invited to a GI workshop but were unable to attend: Natural England National Farmers Union Forestry Commission Woodland Trust Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group Country Landowners Association Sport England


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Bibliography

CLG: Supplement to Planning Policy Statement 1: Climate Change ODPM: Planning Policy Guidance 17: Open Space and Recreation ODPM: Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation www.magic.gov.uk Wildlife Trusts: A Living Landscapes in the South East (2006) South East Plan: Secretary of States Proposed Changes to the South East Plan (July 2008) Kent Biodiversity Action Plan www.kentbap.org.uk KCC: Countryside Access Improvement Plan 2007-2017 http://extranet7.kent.gov.uk/klis/home.htm TMBC: Local Plan (1998) TMBC: LDF Core Strategy (2007) TMBC: LDF Development Land Allocations (2008) TMBC: LDF Tonbridge Central Area Action Plan (2008) TMBC: Open Space Strategy (Draft, October 2008)


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