In June 2017, the Heritage Lottery Fund agreed to fund our 4-year project, and our team of three came together to champion the chalk downland of Kent.

It is in an area which will cover almost 10,000 hectares along the Downs from Kemsing, through Cobham to Detling.

Much of this precious, heritage landscape has been lost or become fragmented, making it difficult for its rare species, many found only within the North Downs, to spread and survive. Many people have lost connection with the Great Outdoors and nature, which has led to ill health and what is often called a “nature deficit syndrome”.

The Old Chalk New Downs project looks to address these issues through work to improve, restore, and reconnect threatened chalk grassland habitats, while addressing the loss of people’s connection with their natural environment and lack of knowledge and understanding of the value of their heritage through a variety of schemes.

Capital works and land management support for landowners will be complemented by a host of community engagement activities which will include volunteering opportunities, learning and skills development, surveying and monitoring, public access improvements, a programme for schools, and digital and interactive resources.

Progress

Now entering the fourth year of the project, the team has seen many changes, challenging times and celebrations of successes. To find out more, read our annual reports. 

OCND First Annual Review - May 2017 - June 2018

OCND Second Annual Review - May 2018 - June 2019 

OCND Third Annual Review - May 2019 - June 2020 

OCND Fourth Annual Review - May 2020 - June 2021

OCND Fifth Annual Review - May 2021 - June 2022

Funding

The Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded our project a £1.4m grant to focus on the revival of chalk grassland and the knowledge and skills required to protect it for future generations. Over 4 years this money will be spent on Downs landscape management and connectivity of this rare habitat, public access improvement and protection from anti-social behaviour and education of those who wish to learn about and help care for this heritage landscape and the species who live on it. The project will cover almost 10,000 hectares from Kemsing Down north to Cobham and across to Detling Hill involving landowners, partnership organisations, community groups, schools and many volunteers.