TADDINGTON VALLEY, Walderslade Woods, Chatham
Work in Taddington Valley Public Open Space along the main path. Create a 200 metre long ‘Woodland Ride’ by coppicing trees under 150mm DBH either side of the main path within the area marked in green. Some single stemmed trees of this size also to be felled and left to regrow as coppice. This will form a key connection between grassland areas. It will open this area up making it more inviting for people to walk along the path, allowing light down to the ground so that more layers of woody and perennial plants can develop into a new habitat. It should assist wildlife like pollinator insects to travel along this corridor and thrive. Deadwood from the coppicing will be left stacked along the ride either side to rot down as this is another good habitat for attracting beneficial wildlife and fungi. Replant selective areas of the ride either side, at a low density with native trees and shrubs to increase diversity. The planting mix to include native Hawthorn, Dogwood, Dog rose Euonymus, Wild privet and Gueder rose. This will add another layer of complexity to the woodland habitat which is lacking at present. Standing in Woodlands W3 and W5 of Tree Preservation Order.