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| The Loose Valley contains a very wide range of wildlife habitats that are made more significant because of their close proximity to the urban fringe of Maidstone. Many of these are important at a local and County level. The Kent Biodiversity Action Plan highlights woodland and scrub, old orchards, hedgerows, streams and standing water as some of the key habitats in Kent to be preserved. This is also reflected in Classification by Kent Wildlife Trust of a large proportion of the Loose Valley as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest, a designation that is reserved for some of the most important wildlife sites in the county. | |
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The Loose Valley is owned by a variety of organisations and individuals, the two biggest being the Loose Swiss Scouts and the Loose Amenities Association. Both are keen to preserve the Valley’s wildlife and landscape value, and they take an active part in its management and restoration. A number of grants are available to assist with this work, many of which would be appropriate for land within the Loose Valley. These grants include the DEFRA Countryside Stewardship Scheme, the Local Heritage Initiative, Kent County Council’s and English Nature’s Biodiversity grants and small grants from Maidstone Borough Council. All of which would attract additional money to the Valley which could make a real difference in the preservation of this important area. |
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| Maidstone Borough Council is running a scheme called Gardening For Wildlife which is designed to encourage people to incorporate wildlife needs into their gardens. If people living within or adjacent to the Loose Valley were encouraged to participate in this scheme, the wildlife of the area would undoubtedly benefit. | |
