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A Small Corner of Kent
There's no doubt that land ownership patterns in some
areas are becoming more fragmented. As all forms of farming are facing
economic pressures, landowners are selling off some or all of their land,
often getting a premium where it backs on to properties.
By selling parcels of land, farmers are meeting a
growing demand for land to extend people's garden's, to create
smallholdings, for horse paddocks, wildfowling or other recreational
interests. In all cases there can be an opportunity to manage the land
with wildlife in mind.
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Traditional orchards
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Although fragmented land ownership can make it difficult
for organisations such as the KSCP to implement landscape strategies or
coherent, large scale improvements to wildlife habitats, there is less
pressure to make money from this land and hence more opportunity for
imaginative and optimal habitat creation and management.
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New ponds
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Over the past few years, reflecting these changes, KSCP
has received more and more enquiries from people who have bought typically
anywhere between 3 and 20 acres of land in the Stour Valley. More often
than not, these new landowners are interested in grants for hedge and tree
planting, but are often unaware of the variety of other habitat
improvement opportunities, or appreciating what wildlife interest may
already exist. KSCP therefore provides a vital service in helping people
understand and appreciate important elements of their land and the local
distinctiveness of an area, advising on appropriate habitat improvement
and creation schemes, and with practical help for new landowners lacking
necessary equipment, resources or expertise.
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Improved riverside habitats
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KSCP has already helped numerous landowners plan,
receive grant aid and carry out projects including: wildflower meadows;
wildlife ponds and shallow scrapes; new orchard planting; new woodland
planting and management. There may also be opportunities to improve any
public rights of way and add permissive routes to land. It is best to get
advice early on as opportunities to create features such as meadows and
ponds may be lost if the land is, for example, unimaginatively sown with a
competitive rye grass/clover mix. So if you have just bought, or are
thinking of buying your own small corner of Kent, give KSCP a ring to
arrange a free site visit before you start any work.
Judith Baker |
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