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Introduction
Conservation area map
Aerial Photo
Upper Loose Valley
Wildlife Habitats
Ponds
Grasslands
Woodland and scrub
Hedgerows
Orchards
Residential gardens
Conclusion
Vision
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| Introduction |
| The purpose of this tour is to give a
general overview of the main habitat features within the Loose Valley
Conservation Area and highlight their importance at both a local and
county level.
Information has been gathered from a variety of sources
including the Kent Habitat Survey, Kent Wildlife Trust, Kent Biodiversity
Action Plan, Birds of the Loose Valley by Don Taylor, Brooks Field and
Pond Restoration Plan, ADAS advisory visits and physical observations.
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| The eastern
side of the Valley starts as heavily grazed horse pasture. It then becomes
a series of long narrow fields bordered by scrub/woodland on the upper edges
of the Valley, which are very lightly grazed by cattle. This section of
the Valley is owned by the Loose Amenities Association and is managed purely for
wildlife, landscape and recreation. The Conservation Area was
designated in Sept 2000.
The Loose Valley has seen relatively little residential development in
the last fifty years compared to other areas of Maidstone.
Located to the south-east of Maidstone, the Loose Valley forms the
boundary between the urban area of Maidstone and the surrounding
countryside. This area is a haven for wildlife due to the large
number of ponds, the Loose stream and extensive areas of semi improved
grassland.
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