The area has a blend of different wildlife
Stock image of a family with parents and two boys exploring the outdoors together(Image: Getty Images)
A new nature reserve is set to be created in the heart of a town. Horsted Valley Nature Reserve will stretch from Rochester Airport around two miles to Luton and encompasses a number of existing greenspaces.
They include Luton Millennium Green, Daisy Banks, Coney Banks, Barnfield, Bishop’s Hoath Woodland, Snodhurst Bottom, Ridgeway Bank and Horsted Farm. The change comes at no extra cost to Medway Council bar some possible new signage with the plans set to be discussed at a meeting on Tuesday (January 13).
The area currently consists of an open space with features including rare chalk grasslands and ancient semi-natural woodland, as well as walking routes, play areas, and football pitches. The change from being considered a park and gardens into a nature reserve is intended to benefit local groups, such as Friends of Horsted Valley and others, as well as provide extra protection for the land.
A nature reserve is defined as an land managed for conservation purposes or for conservation and a recreational purpose. The area has a blend of different wildlife, including important native flowers around the pitch and putt, and the Daisy Banks and Coney Banks offer a valuable habitat for birds.
Council leader Vince Maple (Lab) said the new designation was important to ensure all residents had access to good greenspaces. He said: “This is about recognising our fantastic green spaces in many different ways.
“We’ve got eight Green Flag awards already recognised in some of our brilliant parks, that’s amazing. And the ability now to mark another area with this different designation is very positive.
“A really important part of this is also it’s a green space in quite an urban area, and so everyone across Medway, whether you’re on the peninsula or in one of the five towns, there’s green spaces and parks available for you. It also allows for the community to come together, because in certain parts of this area we have friends groups already and we may be looking at more we can do with them, supporting them, as we move forward.”
A 10-year management plan has been created to decide how best to improve the proposed reserve and benefit the many people who use it daily. If the proposal for the new reserve is approved the case will be submitted to Natural England for a final sign-off.
