113 - North Kent Plain : Summary and Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity

Summary

The North Kent Plain National Character Area (NCA) is the strip of land between the Thames Estuary to the north and the chalk of the Kent Downs to the south. The area is open, low and gently undulating. It is a very productive agricultural area with predominantly high-quality, fertile loam soils characterised by arable use. Traditional orchards, soft fruits and other horticultural crops exist in central and eastern areas giving rise to the use of the title ‘Garden of England’. There is an extensive area of ancient woodland around Blean, plus significant ancient woodlands further west. However, it is generally an open landscape: characteristic shelterbelts occur within the fruit-growing areas, but the agricultural land is mostly devoid of hedgerows.

The NCA meets the sea between Whitstable and Deal, changing from a northfacing to an east- or south-facing shore. There is a great diversity of coastal habitats, including chalk cliffs around Thanet, and soft cliffs between Herne Bay and Reculver – and also at Pegwell Bay. There are also areas of intertidal sand and mud, salt marshes (especially at Pegwell Bay), sand dunes (notably Sandwich Bay), shingle beaches (at Minnis Bay and near Deal), brackish lagoons and maritime grasslands on cliff-tops and sea walls.

The area has a strong urban influence, with several built-up areas, including coastal towns and these occupy a substantial part of the area with significant development around London and the Medway towns, which has a strong influence in the west of the NCA. Canterbury is world-renowned, and was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1988. The Site includes Canterbury Cathedral and Precincts, St Augustine’s Abbey and St Martin’s church. These are all considered milestones in the religious history of England, and are also architecturally significant.

A small proportion of the area (2.4 per cent) falls within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). International and European designated sites are associated in the main with coastal habitats, with four Special Protection Areas (SPAs), two Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and four Ramsar sites identified along the coast, falling either wholly or partially within the NCA. There are three inland sites: Stodmarsh SAC, SPA and Ramsar; Blean Woods SAC; and Queendown Warren SAC. The River Stour is the main catchment in the NCA, with its tributaries and associated wetlands being an important feature in the east. The Medway dissects the NCA in the west, dominated by the urban conurbations of Chatham and Gillingham, with its strong historic military associations.

This NCA is important for food production and associated services (such as soil and water regulation and management) that help to protect the area’s natural assets. In addition, flood protection is an important consideration along the rivers and coastline. The NCA has significant opportunities for tourism and recreation. Green infrastructure opportunities are important for securing benefits to local communities, especially through the provision of accessible natural green space in urban areas. Development pressures (and the associated infrastructure) are likely to present significant challenges as the area responds to an increasing population and the demands of economic development and a changing climate. In response to these challenges, it will be important to maximise the opportunities for society and the natural environment in a balanced and co-ordinated manner. Canterbury World Heritage Site, Statement of Outstanding Universal Value (SOUV), English Heritage

Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEO)

See the Statements of Environmental Opportunity section for more details on the headlines listed below.

SEO 1

Maintain the historic character and long tradition of a farmed landscape, creating habitats to establish more resilient and coherent ecological networks within the farmed and peri-urban areas, benefitting biodiversity and geodiversity, and helping to regulate water and soil quality. Protect traditional practices including the longstanding associations of the fruit belt, maintaining a strong sense of place and reinforcing Kent’s reputation as the Garden of England.

SEO 2

Plan for and manage the effects of coastal change, by allowing the operation of natural coastal processes and improving the sustainability of current management practices, to maintain and enhance the local landscape character and the area’s biodiversity assets. This can lead to habitat creation, flood-risk reduction to built-up areas, and opportunities for recreational activity.

SEO 3

Protect the distinct wooded areas of the landscape, particularly through the management of nationally important, ancient semi-natural woodlands, increasing the area of broadleaved woodland where appropriate, while increasing the connectivity of the mosaic of associated habitats notably wooded heath and semi-improved grassland while enhancing the recreational resource.

SEO 4

Protect and enhance the strong character and heritage of the urban areas. Plan for the creation of significant new areas of green space and green corridors to provide a framework for new and existing development in urban areas and along major transport routes.