Councillor Terry Thompson gave a presentation on the Reconnecting our Ancient Woodlands proposal.  He said that he had been working with local MPs, councillors, wildlife groups and landowners, to develop a proposal to reconnect the ancient woodland from Kings Wood and Perry Wood, north-eastward to the Blean Woodland Nature Reserve and east Blean at Hoath, to connect essential wildlife habitats and re-create a landscape-scale forest in east Kent. This project included a “green” land bridge across the A2, creating “steppingstones” to connect habitats and develop marginal habitats to support the biodiversity of the forest.

As part of this scheme, an expansion of the Kent Downs National Landscape, (previously the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) into the area was proposed, to create a substantial forest that could support threatened species and, possibly, allow the reintroduction of larger, lost species such as Bison and Lynx.

Councillor Thompson said he was seeking written support for this project from the Eastern Area Committee, the Environmental Services and Climate Change Committee and SBC. All parish councils in the area had confirmed they were supportive.

Councillor Alastair Gould proposed that Eastern Area Committee referred this matter to the Chair of the Environmental Services and Climate Change Committee to consider providing written support for the Reconnecting our Ancient Woodlands proposal. Councillor Hannah Perkin seconded the proposal and on being put to the vote it was agreed.

Resolved:

1)    That the Eastern Area Committee ask the Chair of the Environmental Services and Climate Change Committee to consider providing written support for the Reconnecting our Ancient Woodlands proposal.