A consultation has been launched on the future of a “valued asset” for the community

Tonbridge and Malling council has drawn up a woodland management plan for Taddington Valley in the north east corner of the borough, near Chatham, and now wants the public to give their views.

The council said: “In recent years Taddington Valley has been affected by high volumes of human activity, with some of the trees now in decline and ground flora limited.”

Taddington Valley, which covers 33 acres, lies immediately east of the A2045 Walderslade Woods road and west of Walderslade.

The valley is part of the once larger Taddington Wood which has been fragmented by housing and roads. It has public rights of way running through it and it is used by dog walkers.

The council hopes its plan will help address climate change, protect and enhance biodiversity and improve accessibility.

An adopted plan will also support bids for external funding to pay for the management of the site.

The plan proposes increasing biodiversity through coppicing the woodland in rotation, and by pollarding trees along the central trackway to previous growth points and allowing them to regrow.

The plan can be viewed here and comments submitted here.

Cllr Des Keers, cabinet member for community services, said: “Taddington Valley is a valued asset for our community and I am committed to improving the site for local residents and to improve its environmental value.

“I fully support the enhancement of this site and would encourage all to engage with the consultation so your views can be taken into consideration.”