Conservationists and local volunteers are celebrating after Old Park and Chequers Wood, a unique green space on the eastern fringe of Canterbury, has been officially designated as a Local Wildlife Site (LWS).
Covering around 200 hectares, Old Park and Chequers Wood is a rich mosaic of habitats, from acid grassland and scrub to ancient woodland. It supports rare and declining species of plants, reptiles, birds, and invertebrates and almost 400 plant species have been recorded here, with 16 listed on the Kent Rare Plant Register.
The new LWS covers about one third of the site, adding to the existing protections on just over half of the land, which is already designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), including part of Canterbury Golf Course. The designation, led by Kent Wildlife Trust in partnership with landowners and the community group Friends of Old Park and Chequers Wood, recognises the site’s outstanding biodiversity, its value to the local community, and its crucial role in the wider landscape - including helping to buffer the neighbouring SSSI.
Dave Shenton, Local Wildlife Site Officer at Kent Wildlife Trust, said:
"The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, so this designation is not only a win for nature, but also testament to the hard work and dedication of the Friends of Old Park and Chequers Wood.
"They have demonstrated the remarkable power of nature to bring people together, and this example gives us reason for hope in the face of climate and biodiversity crises."
The site is a nationally important invertebrate habitat - already recognised as part of one of conservation charity Buglife’s Important Invertebrate Areas - with surveys finding many butterfly species and at least 1,000 species of moth. In addition, the area’s diverse habitats provide vital breeding grounds for nightingales, a species in steep decline across the UK.
The designation was confirmed by the Kent Nature Partnership and Canterbury City Council - a result which conservationists have hailed as a ‘significant win for nature.’ As the city faces continued development pressures, the success of Old Park and Chequers Wood is a solid example of grassroots conservation, ensuring Canterbury’s natural heritage is safeguarded for future generations.
For media enquiries please contact: Dave Shenton [email protected]
About Local Wildlife Sites
With almost 500 sites across the county, Local Wildlife Sites are Kent's most widespread site designation for wildlife protection. From the rolling chalk grasslands, humming with insects in the summer, or the quiet reverence of ancient woodlands, to the iconic white cliffs that frame our coastline, these precious sites hold a great deal of potential for our wildlife.
