Kent Downs Management Plan Review 2026 – 2031

The Kent Downs National Landscape is one of England’s most distinctive landscapes. It’s patchwork of chalk downland, ancient woodland, and sweeping views. Every five years we refresh the Management Plan, the shared roadmap that guides how this special landscape is cared for and celebrated. 

The Management Plan is our blueprint for the Kent Downs. It explains how we look after, manage, and enhance the landscape for the years ahead. 

It guides how we: 

• Manage and enhance natural beauty,

• support farming and land management,

• guide planning and development, and 

• create more opportunities for everyone to explore and enjoy the Downs.

Local councils, farmers, landowners, community groups and residents all use the plan. It influences decisions and shapes priorities for nature recovery, farming, climate action, access and tourism.  

As a statutory plan required by Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CRoW Act) and the more recent Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA), every protected landscape must have a Management Plan reviewed every five years. But more than that, it helps us ensure the Downs thrive for people, wildlife, and communities alike. 

The last plan was adopted in 2021. Since then, a few things have changed. This review gives us a chance to:

• Measure progress against the 2021–2026 priorities.

• Seek to further the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area.

• Tackle challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and habitat fragmentation.

• Take advantage of new opportunities, including protecting 30% of land for nature under “30 by 30”, Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS), and new planning and environmental duties. 

• Work with residents, land managers, communities, and partners to create a shared vision.

By reviewing the plan, we ensure the Kent Downs will be greener, healthier, wilder, and more resilient for future generations. 

As a National Landscape, our vision is: Beautiful, thriving landscapes that all people feel part of.

Our purpose is to care for the Kent Downs National Landscape by:

• Enhancing, protecting and celebrating its natural beauty,

• nurturing its special character for future generations,

• supporting farmers, foresters, and rural businesses to thrive alongside nature,
• helping local communities to enjoy and benefit from the landscape, and
• encouraging visitors to enjoy the Downs in ways that respect its beauty and wildlife.

We carried out a public engagement survey in 2025, inviting people who live, work, farm, visit, or simply care about the Downs to share their views. We asked:

• What features make the Kent Downs most special and what you value most
• What matters most when caring for the Kent Downs
• How we can make the Kent Downs even more enjoyable for everyone
• How you engage with the Kent Downs online, if at all

The survey provided valuable insight and helped shape and refine the draft Kent Downs Management Plan.

Feedback from the 2025 public engagement survey helped shape and refine the draft Kent Downs Management Plan. People shared what they value most about the landscape and highlighted priorities such as improving access, protecting nature, addressing climate change, and supporting wellbeing and education. These insights have directly informed the updated plan alongside new evidence and policy developments.

We are now inviting residents, visitors, organisations, land managers, and anyone who cares about the Kent Downs to comment on the draft Management Plan and supporting documents.

Consultation period

Thursday 21 May to Sunday 19 July 2026 (8 weeks)

Documents available during consultation

• Draft Kent Downs Management Plan 2027–2031
• Landscape Character Assessment
• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Report
• Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Summary
• Equality Impact Assessment
• Draft Landscape-led Design Handbook

How to respond

Responses can be submitted through the consultation questionnaire hosted on Let’s Talk Kent, with alternative formats and paper copies available on request.

How your feedback will be used

All responses received during consultation, including questionnaire responses, letters and emails, will be carefully reviewed by the Kent Downs National Landscape team.

Feedback will help refine the final documents before they are considered by the Joint Advisory Committee and local authorities for adoption.