Improving the way in which key species and habitats are maintained, restored and expanded in Kent and Nord Pas de Calais.
This was carried out by sharing information and jointly developing methods and tools that assess the condition of habitats and species, improve the way in which they are mapped and by using innovative techniques to secure their long term monitoring and conservation in line with the Gothenburg targets of halting biodiversity loss across Europe.
ARCH objectives:
1. To ensure that base biological data on the extent and distribution of key habitats meets national and European objectives in terms of biodiversity protection across Kent and Nord-Pas de Calais
2. To provide accurate biodiversity information and develop tools that positively influence spatial planning, improve the understanding and commitment towards biodiversity conservation and contribute to increasing habitat connectivity across Kent and Nord-Pas de Calais
3. To explore the feasibility of using innovative tools and techniques in order to enable the long-term monitoring of habitats across Kent and NPdC

Activity 1: assessment of the extent and condition of biodiversity across Kent and NPdC.
1) Data collation and implementation: Interpretation of aerial photography, Validation of data by targeted field work, Production of a Final Report of the Kent Survey 2012 (Kent natural habitat and land cover change analysis)
2) Exchange of experience on data analysis, common classification standards and common mapping specifications through joint cross-border working groups
3)Cross-border exchange of experience on habitat change: Joint development of a Fragmentation Index assessment Tool: joint cross-border working group; Production and Dissemination of Cross Border Report (the guide to interpretation of natural habitats) and Map (including a cross-border map and atlas).
4) Review of findings and way forward. Conference held in Kent and attended by organisations from the 2 Seas Programme area.

Activity 2: access to natural habitats data

1) Development of a geographical information system for habitat & biodiversity data use by land planners in NPdC: Identification of data interoperability needs (taking in account EU Directive Inspire), Set up regional working group for product requirements; Production of the online mapping services (www.arch.nordpasdecalais.fr)
2) Development of a Planning Software in Kent : Organisation of a Steering group with local partners and districts representatives, Identification of the tool requirements for planners with sample districts; Product development, testing and refinement; Production of a guidance manual; Regional training and promotion session and info note in English, French; Product presentation to local authorities;
3) Nord-Pas de Calais and Kent Joint Working Group on development and use of planning screening tools: Cross border meetings in Kent.

Activity 3: a feasibility study on the use of innovative technologies for long term habitat monitoring.
The study looked at the implications of using satellite generated imagery in terms of cost, availability and technical comparability with aerial generated imagery..
1)Joint agreement of study parameters and set up steering group
2) Start of feasibility study
3) Production of report & recommendations (with input from EU network EURISY specialised in satellites services)
4) Piloting of recommendations (test on 2 zones in NPdC and Kent) and proposal for a long term monitoring plan
5) Dissemination to EU networks & recommendations (EU seminar in Lille)
6) Training session for the cross border team (in Lille)

In Kent:
The ARCH data has been sent to all partners and each local authority received a DVD with their respective data. The data is also freely available via the Webportal (http://www.archnature.eu/navigator.html)

In Nord-Pas de Calais:
The ARCH data is accessible through a web portal or through the online mapping service. The partners will be informed and involved in further improvement and updating of ARCH data through a steering committee.

The target groups were:
1. Local Authorities: Spatial planning and development control services, elected representatives, environment, economic and countryside services,
2. Land advisors and wildlife advisors: Countryside management projects, farm and wildlife advisors, public and private land owners and developers
3. Scientific and research community: Higher education, universities, research stations, natural history societies.
4. Government departments and agencies at national and regional level

Final beneficiaries: Interest groups, friends of groups, schools, tourist boards, residents, visitors and local volunteer groups

Benefits to territory:
These include improved methods in which key species and habitats are maintained, restored and expanded and are mapped by the use of innovative techniques to secure their long term monitoring and conservation in the partnership areas. The project will also enable a wide range of stakeholders across Kent and Nord-Pas de Calais to use biodiversity information in a more efficient and precise manner, whilst contributing to halting biodiversity loss across Europe.

• improved access to up-to-data and detailed information on natural habitats

• help planners to make informed decisions on spatial planning and to better take into account the importance of the condition and extend of the natural environment

• assist the decision making process by the development of the new tools (planning application process and green & blue network policy)

• contribution to an improved scientific knowledge on natural habitats and the assessment of their evolution

‘Thinking cross-border’ widened the ARCH project: working together with different background was not a comparison nor a competition but a useful self questioning on our respective works.

ARCH has enabled to better take into consideration how the natural and semi-natural habitats were approached in Kent and Nord-Pas de Calais: classification method, field survey methods and mapping. It also has been an opportunity to improve the knowledge on priority habitats in both regions and how to manage the most interesting ones and to ensure their monitoring. The exchanges have enabled both teams to improve their understanding of the different approaches but also to mutually improve ourselves technically and scientifically.

The project also enable to design a Planning Application Screening Tool for Kent districts which will allows them to rapidly screen any planning application for its potential impact upon the local environment.

EURISY network gave the ARCH project a great input on satellite data uses.

ARCH – Assessing Regional Habitat Change – was an ambitious project for an improved knowledge and monitoring of habitats and key species in Kent and Nord-Pas de Calais. The Kent and Nord-Pas de Calais regions share a common natural heritage (internationally valued woodlands, chalk grasslands, and wetlands) arising from the same geological base and have been shaped by similar climates and human land use. These similarities made it obvious for both parties to seek a joint solution to common challenges by way of exchanging and transferring ideas and expertise on nature conservation. The conservation of biodiversity is a priority in the planning strategies of authorities on both sides of the Channel, in Kent and Nord-Pas de Calais. The crossborder project ARCH has helped to improve the way in key species and habitats are maintained, restored in Kent and Nord-Pas de Calais. This was carried out by sharing information, comparing methods of work and exchanging knowledge and expertise and jointly developing methods and tools that assess the condition of habitats and species. ARCH enables a wide range of stakeholders across Kent and Nord-Pas de Calais to use biodiversity data in a more efficient and precise manner and adopt tools for managing information on species. It is recommended that the project extends to further cross-border initiatives especially by sharing the knowledge and the monitoring methods of the natural habitats so both regions can benefit from other regions’ experiences. It would be very useful to organise regular seminars (every year or other year) on specific themes with other organisations in different regions and countries.

The project results and outputs are being use in two ways:

-Project outputs are being made available to the public and practitioners through various channels; Arch Web portal, data and reports being directly sent to practitioners, result presentations and publications

-Each element is currently being used by project partners, practitioners and the public, eg: Kent Habitat Survey results are being used by Kent County Council’s ecological advice team.

It is too early to estimate whether the project outputs are having a positive effect on the protection and enhancement of our natural environment. However, we know that the Habitat Data for Kent is being used to inform spatial plans such as the 5 year management plan for the Kent Downs AONB. The ARCH NPdC data and map are very useful for local authorities and organisations in charge of land & environment management.

All the relevant departments at our partner organisations will be ensuring that the project outcomes are being used and maintained. For example the web portal through which the Kent habitat survey data is made available has a three year maintenance contract attached to it and officers at the Flood Risk & Natural Environment Team (KCC) will be updating the site as and when required. Before the end of 2013, the Region Nord Pas de Calais will prepare a strategy to update data and map.

A steering group will also be put set up to improve data quality and services.

Dialogue will be maintained between and NPdC partners in relation to how products such as the fragmentation index and the rapid condition assessment protocol are being used and how effective they are.

The project will enable the Conservatoire botanique de Bailleul to network with the different regional authorities, the natural regional parks, and especially in the framework of the “Schéma régional de cohérence écologique – Trame verte et bleue (SRCE-TVB)”.The border regions such as the Picardie, Belgium Flandres and Wallonie regions will also benefit from the results obtained in Nord-Pas de Calais. The map overlaps 2 km in their territories and some regions have already shown an interest.

Region Nord Pas de Calais is willing to further develop this cross border approach of natural habitat (e.g. supporting a crossborder natural/biodiversity observatory)

There are no plans to develop a follow up to the entire project. However in Kent there are several projects in preparation that will be using Arch data and products. For example, more detailed habitat data analysis will be carried out during this summer and the fragmentation index tool will be used for a Bumble Bee habitat enhancement project in Dover. Both projects have been externally funded.

There are also plans to apply to the Heritage National Lottery to fund a habitat connectivity project in Mid & West Kent. Habitat and Landcover data will be used in combination with the habitat fragmentation tool to identify areas for restoration.



In Kent our intention is to keep the web portal up to date and well publicised. We want as many people to be aware of the extend and importance of our natural assets so they take an active role in its protection.