Maidstone Borough Council: Midley Close Tiny Forest and Food Forest Project

The Midley Close project in Allington transforms an underused open space into a combined Miyawaki tiny forest, food forest, hazel coppice area and circular‑economy composting hub. Delivered in February 2026, the project creates fast‑growing native woodland, edible landscapes and wildlife corridors, improving biodiversity, climate resilience and community access to nature. The initiative revitalises a declining play area while supporting outdoor learning, local stewardship and sustainable living. Designed by Maidstone Borough Council’s Parks & Open Spaces Team, it offers a replicable model for councils seeking high‑impact nature recovery in small urban green spaces through layered planting, habitat features and community‑centred design.

Midley Close was an aging play area with declining amenity value and little ecological function. The space had “lost its charm” and was increasingly underused despite being located close to homes, schools and community routes. The Council sought to reverse this decline by implementing a project that would deliver meaningful biodiversity benefits, community engagement opportunities and climate adaptation outcomes within a modest budget and small carbon footprint. The challenge was to transform the site into a multifunctional asset capable of supporting wildlife, edible planting, traditional woodland skills and local sustainability practices while remaining accessible and attractive to residents of all ages.

Maidstone Borough Council delivered a two‑phase programme beginning with public announcements in June 2025 and culminating in full installation in March 2026. The solution centred on using the Miyawaki method to establish a dense, fast‑growing native woodland with species such as dogwood, hazel, field maple and crab apple. Alongside this, a productive food forest was created using heritage and edible species including damsons, mulberries, hazel, rhubarb, herbs and wild strawberries. The inclusion of hazel supported the creation of a dedicated future coppicing area to encourage sustainable craft materials and woodland management skills. A hot composter was added to embed circularity and maintain soil fertility. New hedging and habitat corridors were planted along the natural slope, which now forms a soft boundary between recreational lawn and ecological zones. All works were completed within one month, using council staff and community partners for planting and installation.

The project has created a biodiverse miniature woodland that will mature rapidly, supporting birds, insects, fungi and small mammals. The layered planting structure improves soil health, increases canopy cover and contributes to temperature regulation during periods of urban heat. The food forest component provides accessible edible crops, intergenerational learning opportunities and increased community participation in sustainable living. The hot composter reduces waste management costs by processing local green waste on site, cutting carbon emissions associated with off‑site disposal. By revitalising an underused space, the project strengthens neighbourhood cohesion, encourages outdoor activity and increases local pride in the environment.

Long‑term sustainability is embedded through the site’s design and intended functions. The Miyawaki forest will become self-sustaining within a few years as the tightly planted trees develop strong root networks and natural resilience. The food forest relies on perennial species that regenerate annually and require minimal intervention. The hazel coppice area supports ongoing community woodland‑skills activities and produces renewable materials. The hot composter reinforces circular practices that maintain soil quality without external inputs. The Parks & Open Spaces Team will continue light-touch maintenance, supported by community volunteers encouraged to take an active role in stewardship and on-site learning.

The project demonstrated that small urban green spaces could support high-impact biodiversity gains when designed with layered planting and native species. Combining a Miyawaki tiny forest with a food forest and coppice zone showed the value of multifunctional ecological design, offering both environmental and social benefits. Early communication with councillors and residents helped build support and ensured the project aligned with community aspirations. Integrating features such as composting and habitat corridors proved essential for long-term sustainability and resilience. The project highlights how small, underused spaces can be transformed into thriving ecological and community assets through focused, nature-based interventions.