Horsted Valley
The Horsted Valley in our Rochester South and Horsted ward is a wonderful expanse of chalk grassland, open fields, scrub and woodland that runs from Davis Estate down to the ward’s border at Ridgeway Banks / Walderslade Road.
Much valued by dog walkers and with its own Friends Group, the ward councillors are very keen to see this area continue to be protected from development and encroachment and made more accessible to local residents. All three of us recently attended a summit with Council officers and other interested parties including Kent Wildlife Trust to talk about the Valley’s future and what enhancements can be made to it that will preserve its character and enable many other people to enjoy its natural amenities.
A landscape strategy will be prepared and there is some £200,000 of funding available for works across the whole Valley (it stretches beyond our ward boundary right down to Luton). Ideas being considered include better access points, footpaths, cycling routes, signage and play area improvements. We have requested that local residents and users of the Valley be included in any consultations and we will keep residents updated as things progress.