A government-backed scheme to reverse the decline of Kent's natural habitats has been called into question by a respected countryside charity.

Making Space for Nature (MS4N), launched last week, will attempt to address habitat loss, safeguard ecosystems and create habitats by working with landowners and the public.

Kent County Council (KCC) is leading the project locally and is one of 48 similar schemes in the country.

But in a critical statement, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE Kent) says it hopes MS4N does not end up "paying lip-service to our natural environment".

Nature has been subjected to a "near-constant onslaught" from commercial interests despite "political waffle", says the charity.

The CPRE Kent statement said: "Few counties, if any, have suffered in recent years more than Kent, where urban and industrial development has had a devastating effect on so much of our countryside and its wildlife."

Kent has seen thousands of new houses, through targets set by central government, in recent years and developments can alter delicate ecosystems and habitats needed in the natural food chain.

Kent, like other English counties, has suffered from a number of other adverse factors such as unpredictable weather, air pollution from increased car use, intensive farming and illegal river and sea pollution by sewage companies.

The strategy comes in the wake of last month's Government-backed State of Nature 2023 (SON) Report, the product of a collaboration of environmental NGOs, academic institutions and official agencies, including Natural England.

The report states: "(The report) lays bare the stark fact that nature is still seriously declining across the UK, a country that is already one of the most nature-depleted in the world. "

MS4N, funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is currently working on "establishing our baseline information" which involves mapping areas important for biodiversity - and "looking at what nature recovery action is already underway".

A KCC statement said: "This locally led approach is new, with the strategy developed in collaboration with a range of partners from landowners and Kent’s residents.

"A strategy informed by partners’ priorities, data and knowledge will result in a plan owned by the very partners that will be critical to its delivery.

"The project will work with those that own and manage the land; those that influence how biodiversity is protected and enhanced; those that use and depend on nature’s services; and those that inform and make decisions."

We [….] but can only hope that it doesn’t prove to be yet another exercise in paying lip-service to our natural environment’

But the CPRE statement said: "We will of course be encouraging everyone to take part in this initiative but can only hope that it doesn’t prove to be yet another exercise in paying lip-service to our natural environment.

"The State of Nature 2023 report published only last month showed that all the political waffle, all the pledges, all the sincere looks to camera, all the manifestos and all the good intentions have meant nothing as the loss of the country’s nature has continued to spiral almost out of control.

"Much was made during the Covid-19 pandemic of the importance of the natural world to people’s well-being and mental health – we trust this won’t be forgotten in the face of the near-constant onslaught on that natural world from commercial interests.

"With this in mind, we are encouraged to see the long-awaited launch of the Kent and Medway Local Nature Recovery Strategy under the banner of Making Space for Nature.

“This is a vital first step towards the proper strategic-level environmental planning that is needed if we are ever going to have a chance to slow the ecological and climate emergency we are facing.

"CPRE Kent is looking forward to working alongside fellow stakeholders in banging the drum for nature by encouraging all to take part in this initiative and help influence the strategy.

"At national level, CPRE is calling on government for a land-use framework that is fit for net-zero. Ensuring that Local Nature Recovery Strategies such as this are properly funded and fully delivered will be critical to this.

"For too long, many of our local authorities have given the appearance of development corporations rather than institutions designed to pay heed to broader arguments and the greater good.

"For everyone’s sake, let’s hope that Making Space for Nature in Kent sparks a reversal in current trends and accords our natural environment the respect and status it deserves."

Natural England, the National Farmers' Union, Kent Downs AONB, Nonington Farms and the Kent Wildlife Trust are supporters of MS4N.

KCC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Susan Carey, said: “What’s different about Making Space for Nature is that it will have influence in the planning system and it really matters that we involve Kent’s residents, landowners and all the many groups involved in caring for nature."

The SON report says data shows that since 1970 UK species have declined by about 19% on average, and nearly one in six species (16.1%) are now threatened with extinction.

It says: "This is a timely reminder, if we needed it, that the nature crisis isn’t restricted to far-off places like the Amazon or Great Barrier Reef. It is right here, on our doorstep. We are losing familiar wildlife that we cherish including the hazel dormouse and skylark.

"Beyond the troubling headlines of nature loss provided by the report, the evidence in the report also provides glimmers of hope.

"Although many species are in decline, there is also a significant number that are increasing. For example, while our pollinating insects are declining overall, some groups of freshwater insects such as dragonflies are faring better.

"Similarly, although most mammals are declining, many bat species are on the increase."