The government has been asked to give two beautiful local landscapes some national protection.

Maidstone council has written to Emma Reynolds MP, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, asking her to open an early bidding round for National Landscape extensions.

Cllr Tony Harwood, the cabinet member for planning policy and management, said that Maidstone’s Len Valley and the Greensand Ridge were both ecologically rich and visually stunning areas in Kent that should be given national protection.

Cllr Harwood argued that the extension would help the government meet its COP15 commitment to protect 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030.

He said: “Relatively small additions to the extent of our protected landscapes could significantly increase their capacity to support nature recovery.

“The Len Valley and Greensand Ridge are prime candidates for inclusion, yet remain vulnerable to development and ecological degradation.”

The Greensand Ridge stretches from Boughton Malherbe in the east to Nettlestead in the west and forms a distinctive escarpment of ancient woodland, acid grassland, and rare parkland habitats.

It forms part of the Kent Lower Greensand aquifer, a vital water source for the region.

The Len Valley, between Lenham and Bearsted, has a mosaic of hedgerows, meadows, and streams, and supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna, and provides natural flood protection for the county town.

Both areas are currently designated as Local Landscape Value (LLV) zones, which offer limited local protection in planning terms.

But without the national designation, they remain exposed to piecemeal development.

The proposal to extend the Kent Downs National Landscape to include the Len Valley and Greensand Ridge has been endorsed by the Kent Downs Joint Advisory Committee.

If approved, the extension would protect 20 square miles of countryside currently outside the Kent Downs designation.

Cllr Harwood said: “Without national protection, the Len Valley and Greensand Ridge face serious threats.

“Wildlife corridors could be severed, threatening species migration and survival. Ancient woodlands and meadows may be lost to development. Water quality and flood resilience could decline, impacting communities downstream.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to secure the future of our most treasured landscapes. We urge DEFRA to act swiftly and invite early bids for extensions to National Landscapes.”

The campaign to see the areas given National Landscape status had been started by Loose and Linton Ward Councillor and now Deputy Mayor Brian Clark five years ago.

He said: “I’ve been working towards national protection for the Greensand Ridge since 2018 when I first proposed it to the council’s strategic planning committee.

“I’m thrilled that this is finally moving forward.”