Biodiversity loss and climate change are closely connected, since plants and animals are being forced to adapt to rapidly changing environments. However, the destruction of natural habitats plays an even more critical role and is often a more significant factor driving species decline.
Biodiversity protection is a top priority, with Folkestone & Hythe District Council developing and implementing policies to conserve habitats, restore nature, and support wildlife across urban and rural areas.
Trees
Tree planting and preservation are central to the district’s climate and biodiversity strategies. Thousands of new trees are being planted as part of major projects like Otterpool Park Garden Town and urban greening schemes. The council maintains and enhances existing woodlands, enforces tree protection orders, and supports community tree planting days. Urban tree planting is integrated with flood management and air quality improvement initiatives.
Wildflowers
Wildflower meadows and verges are being expanded to support pollinators and enhance the district’s natural beauty. The council has increased the number of wildflower planting sites in parks, road verges, and public open spaces. In some of the sites wild orchids can now be found.
Pollinators and insects
Protecting pollinators is recognised as essential for local food production and healthy ecosystems. Under the Bee Kind Initiative, the council reduces the grass cutting in specified areas in the district to encourage local pollinators. We routinely review these areas and manage them where necessary and have placed Bee Friendly signs to explain what we are doing to passers-by. The council’s Local Plan also encourages developers to create areas for pollinators.
Sea life
Marine biodiversity is a key concern, with the council working to protect sea life from pollution, overfishing, and habitat loss. The council collaborates with the Environment Agency and conservation groups to monitor marine species and improve water quality.
Protected areas
Protected areas safeguard the district’s most important habitats and species. These include unique landscapes and habitats that are of both national and international importance. Designated sites, such as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and a Ramsar site at Dungeness. The district includes Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), Local Nature Reserves, and Marine Conservation Zones. The council works with statutory agencies to ensure these areas are managed effectively and protected from inappropriate development.
Geo Park
Geo Parks celebrate and protect the district’s unique geological heritage, supporting education and sustainable tourism. Display boards about the geo park have been put up at Farthing common and the East Cliff in Folkestone. A bid for UNESCO status for the first cross channel geo park will be submitted in 2025 and will raise the status of this unique habitat.
Peat free
Moving away from peat-based products is part of the council’s commitment to sustainable land management and climate action. The council uses only peat-free compost in its planting schemes and encourages residents and businesses to do the same.
Fertilisers/pesticides
Reducing reliance on chemical fertilisers and pesticides helps protect soil, water, and biodiversity. The council’s land management practices prioritise organic and low-impact methods, with minimal use of chemicals. There are still a limited number of situations where chemicals will still be needed, such as to treat invasive weeds like Japanese knotweed and giant hogweed. We will continue to check for new technology and best practice to further reduce the use of pesticide & herbicides.
Invasive species
Climate change increases the likelihood of invasive species establishing and spreading by altering local temperatures, precipitation patterns, and habitats in ways that make regions more hospitable to non-native organisms. Warmer conditions and extreme weather events, such as floods or droughts, enable invasive species to expand into new areas where they previously could not survive, while native species facing environmental stress often lose their competitive edge.
For example, the Asian hornet has become a growing threat in the District, particularly because milder winters and warmer climates allow many more hornets and their nests to survive and proliferate. This puts increased pressure on native insects like honeybees, critical for pollination, as Asian hornets are aggressive predators. The council works to raise awareness in the community. It encourages residents to look out for Asian Hornets and to report sightings using the DEFRA free app.
Biodiversity at Otterpool Park
The Otterpool Park development is being designed to protect, minimise and mitigate the impact of the project on the environment.
Half of the development will be green open space with existing habitats retained, protected and enhanced where possible. The scheme is being designed with landscape and green infrastructure fully integrated into the development and over half the area will be green open space. Green corridors will be built into the scheme to link spaces across the site, promote healthy lifestyles and protect and enhance habitats. A biodiversity action plan is also being developed to increase biodiversity on the site by 20%.