A council’s new environment boss says he wants to boost recycling rates but cut back on mowing.

Cllr Rich Lehmann was made the leader of Swale’s Green Party branch last month after being elected to Swale council for Boughton and Courtenay.

He has also been the Kent County Council (KCC) representative for Swale East since 2021.

The former photographer, who snapped his 500th wedding in April, believes more needs to be done to address the climate emergency.

He said: "I think part of the reason why the new coalition wanted me to be chairman of the environment committee was to continue the work of Tim Valentine, who stood down last month.

"I want to focus on things like increasing recycling rates, which have stagnated and increased to the point where they have plateaued for the last couple of years.

"I also want to cut back slightly on the amount of mowing, which may be potentially controversial, but can be unnecessary and actually affect biodiversity as too much of it obviously means grass can turn to dust and not grow.

"The time lost from that could then be used towards tree planting projects or other wildlife management schemes, which are more nature-friendly.

"There is also a new waste contract coming soon, which will allow us to create a more reliable bin collection service with more street cleansing and litter picking too."

He said he was worried about plans to shut Faversham tip, but conceded there were no alternative suggestions.

Cllr Lehmann is also concerned by the rate of house-building in the area.

In December, charity The Sittingbourne Society admitted plans to build a new 2,500-property development called Foxchurch would put a strain on services.

There has also been recent controversial plans for 380 new homes at Tonge, Sittingbourne, plus 154 new houses at Lady Dane Farm in Love Lane, Faversham – both of which were approved earlier this month.

Those decisions came just days before Cllr Monique Bonney (Ind, West Downs) said part of the reason why access to healthcare in Swale is suffering was due to a rising population and not an increase in services.

When asked his views on the issue, Cllr Lehmann replied: "The housing situation is a concern.

"For months, we have been in limbo waiting for clarity from the government with regards to planning and housing targets.

"The Green Party's position is to have the right number of houses built in the right places, and to have them be affordable.

"But the majority of housing which we see being built is not affordable for people working in Swale.

"It has the lowest average pay of any district in Kent, so with many new houses being three, four or five-bedrooms we need to make sure people living here already can afford to do so.

"For me, that should always be the first priority of Swale council when it comes to housing."