Update on the Chevening Parkland Scheme

Update on Progress of the Chevening Parkland Scheme

Footpaths

Work will commence shortly to improve the footpath SR174 (from behind the Churchyard to Turvins Farm and to create a new PRoW to join SR174, SR173 and SR 172 without having to walk along Sundridge Road. This works will be signed beforehand and clearly identified when completed.

Newts.

Plastic fencing will be installed in the field opposite Turvins Farm within the next 2 weeks to trap any newts present there. Any captured newts will be relocated to the area below the church. The fences need to be in place for 30 days and the newts must be trapped and moved by latest 2^nd week in October. (This date could change if the weather is favourable) There is a dependency on the weather in that if the temperature for 5 consecutive nights falls below a certain level (5^o) it is considered to be too cold for the newts to be moving about and therefore to be able to trap them and in that case the next phase (Enabling) will be delayed until the newts can be moved again (earliest the Spring 2025)

Fencing is also being installed in the north west corner of the Parkland area (by the Burial Ground and Church) as this is the location for any captured newts to be relocated to. This area will remain untouched throughout the works and onwards to preserve the habitat, but obviously the fencing removed upon conclusion of the works.

Fencing will also be put on the hedgerows within the Parkland area to catch any other newts at the same time.

The fencing in the north west area will stay in place for the duration of the works. Should the weather impact the newt capture the fencing on the hedgerows and in the field opposite Turvins will be reinstated in the Spring.

By 18^th October there will be a communication issued confirming whether the Enabling phase will take place during the Autumn/Winter 2024 or delayed until Spring 2025.

Enabling Phase

The enabling phase takes place in the field opposite Turvins Farmyard. There will be a temporary site entrance (by the private road up to the kennels) where lorries will enter. The plan is to raise the height of the field to road level and construct new roadways within it and a new site main entrance. As soon as the new site entrance is created the temporary entrance will be closed and cease to be used. Initially the present topsoil will be removed and it will be retained in stockpiles on site to be reused when the works are completed.

The levelling will involve the importation of materials but the location of the site entrance will mean lorries must approach the site from Morants Court Roundabout. It is envisaged that the works to level and prepare this area of the site will take approximately 3 months and therefore by completed Christmas/early January 2025

An update on the next phase will take place by end November – assuming the Enabling phase has been carried out in Autumn and not delayed