Maidstone Borough Council is set to support major river and nature restoration work across the borough with a grant to Kent Wildlife Trust, helping farmers and landowners work together to restore habitats, improve water quality and strengthen climate resilience.
The funding of £97,600 will support a two‑year project focused on the Lower Beult catchment encompassing the Marden Farmer Cluster and the Greensand Ridge Farmer Cluster, building on proven approaches used successfully in the Upper Beult area. The project will help bring farmers into collaborative “cluster” groups, supported by expert facilitation from Kent Wildlife Trust, to deliver practical environmental improvements at a landscape scale.
The work will focus on restoring rivers and wetlands, improving riparian habitats, supporting nature‑friendly land management and unlocking further external funding to maximise environmental benefits for Maidstone.
The proposal reflects the Council’s wider commitment to nature recovery and climate adaptation, recognising the vital role that healthy rivers and connected habitats play in reducing flood risk, supporting wildlife and improving the resilience of rural communities.
Cllr Rachel Rodwell, Cabinet Member for Climate Transition and Nature Recovery, said: “Restoring our rivers and landscapes is vital for tackling climate change, protecting wildlife and supporting rural communities.
“Many farmers on the Lower Beult are already leading the way, delivering impressive restoration work on their land and sharing good practice with others. As I visit farms across the area, it’s clear how powerful farmer‑led, collaborative action can be.
“This project builds on the success of the Upper Beult, where farmers, landowners and conservation experts have worked together to achieve real, lasting improvements. Working with Kent Wildlife Trust, we can help support and spread what works, improving water quality, restoring habitats and safeguarding our countryside for future generations.”
Louise Carpenter, member of the Marden Farmer Cluster, said: “Marden Farmer Cluster welcomes Maidstone Borough Council’s support for our ongoing successful nature recovery and regenerative farming work, including our collaborative relationship with Marden Wildlife.”
Paul Hadaway, Director of Conservation at Kent Wildlife Trust, said: “Rivers like the Beult are under real and growing threat. Pollution, habitat loss and climate change are pushing nature to the brink, and without urgent action we risk losing the wildlife and natural systems that our landscapes, farming and communities depend on.
“This partnership with Maidstone Borough Council is a vital step in turning that around. By working directly with farmers and landowners, we can restore rivers and wetlands at a catchment scale and begin to reverse decades of decline, improving water quality, restoring habitats and reducing flood risk.
“Building on the success of farmer clusters such as the Upper Beult shows that when local people are supported to lead the recovery of nature, we can deliver lasting change where it is needed most.”
Kent Wildlife Trust will lead delivery of the project, working closely with farmers, landowners, the Environment Agency and other partners. The approach is designed to unlock additional funding opportunities and ensure that investment delivers long‑term benefits beyond the lifetime of the initial grant.
The was agreed by Cabinet as part of the Council’s ongoing programme to deliver nature recovery and climate resilience across the borough at a meeting on 18 March.
Farmer cluster members