Hothfield Common, Ashford, Kent – Biodiversity extension, purchase and habitat restoration

1. Purchase of 39.5 acres of land adjoining Hothfield Common Nature Reserve
2. Restoration / enhancement of this land, meeting UK and Kent BAP targets for habitats and species. Increasing the size of the existing nature reserve by 27% will also make it more ecologically viable.
Works to b undertaken will include: re-creation of heath, wet heath, acid grassland and alkaline fen; and creation of riparian woodland and an area of acid bog. A wildlife belt hedgerow will also be created to provide habitat screening from adjacent farmland. Fencing will allow habitat grazing by liverstock whilst protecting the hedges and riparian woodland