White Cliffs Landscape Partnership Scheme
The landscape around Dover and Folkestone is
internationally important for its rolling chalk grasslands,
intersected by woodland and scrub, which is home to a colourful
range of wildflowers and animals. The value of the landscape has
been further enhanced by people’s interaction with it over hundreds
of years, represented by, amongst other things, tiny villages,
churches, place names, burial mounds and, of course, castles.
The importance of this landscape has been recognised by the
Heritage Lottery Fund with the allocation of £2.3 million for a
Landscape Partnership Scheme.
Over the next year, Dover District Council will work with
partner organisations and the public to plan this five year scheme,
which, if successful, will begin in the summer of 2012.
The White Cliffs Landscape Partnership Scheme aims to work with
local communities, schools, organisations and landowners so they
can better understand, conserve and engage with this unique
landscape.
So far the following projects have been identified across four
key themes:
Conserve and restore built and natural
features
- Conservation, improvement and extension of the chalk downland
landscape
- Increase habitat connectivity through Roadside Nature
Reserves
- Conservation, restoration and research of historic buildings
and features
Increase community participation in local
heritage
- A mobile outreach vehicle to help people engage with and learn
about the landscape across the scheme area
- Building new partnerships with local communities and farmers
and landowners to assist with habitat management
Increase access to and learning about the
landscape
- Creation of new access trails
- Improve interpretation to help people better understand the
landscape
- An education shelter at Samphire Hoe
- An interactive education programme for schools and local
communities
- An initiative to address misuse and abuse of the
countryside
Increase training opportunities in local heritage
skills
- A programme to help people engage with the landscape through
art and new media
- Providing skills for local people to help conserve the
landscape
These projects are just indicative at this stage and we will be
developing them further with partners and local communities over
the coming year.
Have Your Say
The deadline for completing the online questionnaire has now
passed. Visit the Have Your Say page to
see some of the results of the consultation and find out how you
can continue to let us know about how you value the landscape
around Dover and Folkestone.
To find out more information or how to get invloved please
contact Richard Haynes on 01304 872130 or email richard.haynes@dover.gov.uk
The White Cliffs Landscape Partnership Scheme is being hosted by
Dover District Council. The partnership currently includes Dover
District Council, Shepway District Council, Kent County Council,
Kent Downs AONB Unit, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, Kent
Wildlife Trust, National Trust, Eurotunnel and Natural England.
Contact
Tel: 01304 872130
Email richard.haynes@dover.gov.uk
