Protecting Our Landscapes

Major news is welcomed today that the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced 'first round' success for a massive £1.6m funding for partnership work to help conserve the landscape around the White Cliffs of Dover.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has announced a 'first round pass' of £1,602,200 earmarked for a local partnership project under the HLF Landscape Partnership programme. This includes £57,700 development funding to help partners progress plans for full approval.

This news follows a successful bid by a range of local partners working together, including Dover District Council, Shepway District Council, Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, White Cliffs Countryside Partnership, National Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust, Kent County Council and Eurotunnel.

The landscape area covers 12,200 ha of chalk downland around Dover and Folkestone, including the world famous White Cliffs of Dover. The project will help protect parts of the landscape by removing scrub and maintaining grassland, which in turn encourages the growth of flora and fauna. Proposals also include conservation work on key heritage features such as the Western Heights and remnants from World War II, an extensive programme of activities including themed talks, demonstrations and guided walks, and the building of an education centre at Samphire Hoe.

Stuart McLeod, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund South East, said: "Landscapes play a huge role in all our lives but we mustn't take them for granted. The Heritage Lottery Fund is delighted to be providing an initial investment into these exciting plans for the White Cliffs of Dover, particularly in this International Year of Biodiversity. We look forward to seeing the project progress over the next year or so."

Cllr Nicholas Kenton, DDC Cabinet Member for Environment said: "This is great news and is a wonderful opportunity. This is a great chance for a range of partners to further support the conservation of our unique landscape and heritage, and to continue to work together to help preserve these amazing chalk downlands for future generations."