Mill Leese Saltwood – EA looking to reduce tree canopy coverage
For those of you who unaware, in 2020, it was reported in the KCC Canopy-cover-report that Folkestone and Hythe has the second lowest tree canopy coverage at around 8% of its area, less than half of the Kent average of 17%.
To give that 8% some meaning, that is approx 2,924 hectares of tree canopy cover, or about four times the area of Otterpool Park Garden Town (765 ha)
Hythe has the highest Canopy Cover in the district.
Sitting behind Hythe is Saltwood, it is here the Environment Agency (EA) wish to reduce the tree canopy coverage at Mill Leese. They aim to begin to restart their efforts on Wednesday 19 Oct.
This time last year campaigners managed to delay the EA works even though the EA escalated the issue into an unnecessary legal row. Local councillors and residents said then that the work was unnecessary and would destroy “healthy trees” which they said was home to 11 species of bats and will ruin an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
A year on and the EA have now produced an updated bat tree assessment and report which means they’ll go ahead and cut down the trees, they have earmarked for felling, these being Ash in the main, and Oak, Sycamore, Field Maple and Hazel.
The EA is planning to continue the work it stopped late last year this coming Wednesday (19 October).
Campaigners say:
It will do irreparable damage to a site that (according to the EA’s own ecologist) is unique in Kent for the diversity of bats and wildlife it supports. The EA’s chopping machines are now located next to the Mill Leese embankment, as pictured.The contractors have already begun filling in holes, with no attempt to see if rare reptiles and mammals are sheltering inside. Effectively burying them alive. They’ve begun clearing the fallen wood, which we know is home to rare stag beetles and other insects. And they’re clearing ivy, claiming the bats have no need for it. But it’s not too late to stop them chopping down the main trees, due to commence this Wednesday.
The updated report states:
There are a total of 16 trees that will require either felling or branch works.
The proposed works also require the removal of debris and saplings up to 100mm in diameter on the banks to allow access for future works.
We understand some work has been carried out, in the last few weeks. The main body of work is due to start this coming Wednesday.
In the spirit of compromise, the KCC Cllr for the ward, Rory Love, could along with his colleague, KCC Cabinet Member for the Environment, Cllr Susan Carey, engage with the EA, to ensure any canopy lost will be replaced, given the district has the second lowest tree canopy coverage in Kent. Both could use their ward grant to purchase sixteen new trees. Or they could ask the district for funds from there £4.75m climate change budget, as it is there to encourage biodiversity.
It is possible to replace what will be lost, but that all depends on the EA and elected officials agreeing to a compromise, otherwise the only loser will be nature.
We understand that the landowners along with the Chairman of Saltwood Parish Council are due to meet with the EA on Monday morning. When they meet they could put it to them that there is a win-win solution if all parties are prepared to compromise, before work begins on Wednesday.
Let’s hope they will all see reason and help restore the biodiversity at Mill Leese, as we need every inch of tree canopy cover, we can get.
The Shepway Vox Team
Journalism for the People NOT the Powerful
Ive lived in Folkestone since the early 1990s. Before that I lived in Ashford. Ive never been to Saltwood. Ive been to Dover and Leeds Castles as child. I’m not into the posh stuff but I do appreciate our heritage as these things are still part of our culture. I can also appreciate the calmness of the forestry we have and would like to see these area’s grow for not only human life but for the better of all species we share with. I like to walk down through the wooded areas along the Folkestone coast as it’s a nice walk below the Leas. The only reason I know about your site was when you did a video on Rowan Court where I use to live. The problem with the building in the early 1990’s was there was no heating in the bedrooms. It’s was cold.