The Green Corridor areas are right next to Ashford’s rivers, so many of them are flood plains. A flood plain is the land around water bodies that takes on excess water in times of high rainfall and flood. This is a crucial process which protects homes and businesses. This is particularly important as with global warming extreme weather events may mean floods could occur more frequently. The River has never flooded in recent years to destroy Housing in the area. Flood plains are also important for maintaining clean water sources; and they provide wetland habitat, such as reed beds and ponds, that support many specialist species.
Ashford's Green Corridor is made up of parks, recreation grounds and other green spaces alongside the rivers that flow through Ashford. It runs through the centre of Ashford, from the M20 through to the Ford in South Ashford. It covers The Queen Mother's Park, the North and South Parks at the Stour Centre, Bowen's Field, Victoria Park and Watercress Field. The Great Stour floodplain runs through urban Ashford and provides valuable green space and wildlife habitats. Most of this area is designated as a local nature reserve, and supports wildlife including voles, kingfishers and bats. Not only does the land offer excellent recreational space, but being adjacent to the River Stour is a major area of flood protection. Any development proposed in this area has to have the agreement of the Environment Agency, the responsible authority for flood protection.
