 This was part of project funded by the Environment Agency and Natural England which aims to bring river units of the River Kent & Tributaries Site of Special Scientific Interest/Special Area of Conservation
into "improving" condition.The Kent is designated a Special Area of Conservation, primarily as an important habitat for the endangered White-clawed Crayfish ("Austropotamobius pallipes").It is anticipated that apart from ecological benefits, the reconnection of the river with its flood plain will help alleviate flooding downstream.