Darent Valley Farmer Cluster awarded DEFRA Landscape Recovery Scheme pilot

In summer 2021, a small group of farmers within the River Darent catchment recognised that a collaborative approach would be far more effective in delivering better environmentally positive actions and the Darent Valley Farmer Cluster was established.

The cluster is currently made up of 17 farmers and landowners, who manage over 4,000 hectares of largely contiguous farmland close to the River Darent stretching from the headwaters in Westerham, through the middle reaches in Otford and Shoreham, then downstream to Farningham.

The group works in close partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust, in particular Cluster Officer Marc Crouch, who has coordinated activities through this first year.

Located in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the precious landscape in this scheme flanks the River Darent and supports arable, livestock and horticulture farming enterprises, alongside significant areas of wetland, chalk grassland and woodland.

Cluster farming members, many of whom have existing countryside stewardship schemes, work with Kent Wildlife Trust and other partners, including South East Rivers Trust, Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Unit and North West Kent Countryside Partnership. Together the organisations bring a wealth of skills and experience to the project and aim to increase local biodiversity, create and restore habitats, as well as improve flood mitigation and drought resilience. A parallel objective is to improve engagement and rural education within local communities.

This summer species level surveys were undertaken. Drawing on professionals from Kent Wildlife Trust, and other organisations to record bird, insect and plant species across the cluster landscape. This initiative has included recruitment and training of local volunteers to support survey work, which initiates the cluster’s community engagement relationship.

Baseline land use surveys have been undertaken on a field-by-field basis, mapping existing habitats and identifying opportunities where habitats and wildlife biodiversity could be enhanced and carbon capture improved.

Landscape Recovery projects

Recently the Darent Valley Farmer Cluster, in partnership with Kent Wildlife Trust, submitted a bid for a Landscape Recovery project, focusing on the theme of river restoration. 

The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) is piloting projects over two years for development by landowners and managers, who wish to implement a radical and large-scale approach to delivering environmental and climate benefits on their land. Landscape Recovery is one of three new environmental land management schemes being rolled out by DEFRA.

The Darent Valley has been awarded one of only 22 Landscape Recovery projects approved across England.

The River Darent is a globally rare chalk stream, facing many threats and challenges, not least low flows due to aquifer abstraction and climate change. The cluster group will engage with appropriate stakeholders, who share the groups ambitions and are able to contribute knowledge, advice, practical and financial assistance.

We are looking forward to continuing to grow food for the nation in a landscape that has a substantially enriched ecology.