111 - Northern Thames Basin : Landscape Change

National Character Area 111

Northern Thames Basin - Landscape Change

Monitoring Landscape Change

Drivers for change
The Northern Thames Basin is a diverse area ranging from wooded plateaux and river valleys, open arable landscapes, heathlands, and urban edges moving towards London. An existing lack of network connectivity between habitats may make habitats more vulnerable to the effects of climate change and lead to habitat loss, and future urban expansion and regeneration, including industrial development, may put additional pressure on habitat fragmentation. Increased pressure for infrastructure development around London may alter the surrounding landscape.

Monitoring landscape change
The most recent monitoring of landscape change within NCAs forms part of the Environmental Improvement Plan Environmental Indicator Framework. This includes indicator G1: Changes in landscape and waterscape character, informed by indicator component G1a: Changes in the landscape characteristics of NCAs in England.

Indicator component G1a measures the extent to which landscape change is achieving the aspirational landscape outcomes described in the NCA Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEOs). For this purpose, SEOs across all NCAs are distilled into 34 Super Landscape Objectives (SLOs).

NCAs with broadly similar character and pressures for change have been grouped into 18 sub-Agricultural Landscape Types (sub-ALTs) that represent rural, urban and coastal landscapes. Equal numbers of relevant SLOs were identified for monitoring within each sub-ALT and their associated NCAs. These SLOs were assessed based on changes between 2015 – 2023 (or the closest approximations to those dates with the data available). The results of each SLO were combined to form an integrated view of overall landscape change within each NCA during this time period.

For further details on this landscape monitoring, refer to the G1a Landscape Change Atlas and report, which are also available via the Landscape Change Evidence Hub.

Landscape Change Evidence Hub

The Natural England Landscape Change Evidence Hub has been created to provide access to information that can help us understand how, where, and why England’s landscapes are changing, and how to manage change into the future. This includes the information on the Environmental Improvement Plan Environmental Indicator Framework, indicator G1, and the indicator component G1a Landscape Change Atlas and report.

Results of G1a: Changes in the landscape characteristics within this NCA
Listed below are:

  • the overall trend for this NCA
  • the results of the underlying analysis for each of the individual Super Landscape Objectives considered relevant to the NCA; this includes the ‘provisional status’ (i.e. current understanding of state/condition) and the ‘change trend’ associated with each SLO.

Reporting of the 2015-2019 and 2019-2023 time periods can be seen in the short term change results of G1a: Changes in the landscape characteristics within this NCA below.

The following SLOs are considered relevant to this NCA. The current provisional status of each objective and the assessment of change (expressed as a trend) is listed below. The overall integrated trend assessment is also listed.

The below section is in development.


Additional information on landscape change

Historic Aerial Photo Explorer

The Historic England Aerial Photo Explorer presents a nationally important collection of aerial photographs from across the country, depicting how the landscape has changed within the NCA over time.

Black and white aerial image

Historic Mapping Side by Side Viewer

The National Library of Scotland Side by Side Viewer presents historic mapping across the UK, alongside current OS, depicting how the landscape has changed within the NCA over time.

Finger pointing at map

Renewable Energy Planning Database

The government’s Renewable Energy Planning Database tracks the progress of UK renewable electricity projects over 150kW through the planning system. The location and details of these projects can be viewed in the database spreadsheet, or on the Renewable Energy Planning Database Interactive Map, this depicts how the landscape within NCAs are changing with regards to renewable development.

Wind turbines standing in a field.

Short term change results of G1a: Changes in the landscape characteristics within this NCA

Listed below are:

    • the overall trend for this NCA for short term change periods 2015-2019 and 2019-2023
    • the results of the underlying analysis for each of the individual Super Landscape Objectives considered relevant to the NCA; this includes the “provisional status” (i.e. current understanding of state/condition) and the “change trend” associated with each SLO for short term change periods 2015-2019 and 2019-2023.

The following SLOs are considered relevant to this NCA. The current provisional status of each objective and the assessment of change (expressed as a trend) is listed below. The overall integrated trend assessment is also listed.

2015 - 2019 change


2019 - 2023 change


Landscape change reported in 2014

Recent changes and trends (reported in 2014)

Agriculture

  • The area has a varied land use pattern comprising a mix of arable and pasture There has been an overall loss of mixed and general cropping and horticulture since 1998, although the rate of grassland loss has slowed and the mix of farm holding types has stabilised.
  • There has been a reduction in livestock numbers across the NCA with cattle numbers suffering the steepest decline of 52 per cent between 2000 and The number of livestock farms reduced during this time by 21 per cent. There was a reduction of grazing intensity between 1990 and 2003, which is below the national average.
  • A loss of landscape character of agricultural land during the period between 1998 and 2003 is suggested by CQC data from inappropriate management of set aside land in some areas of the Hertfordshire plateaux and river valleys and a decoupling of historic farmsteads from modern agriculture resulting in a redundancy of traditional barns and other buildings. In London Clay lowlands mineral extraction is also replacing some farmland.

Boundary features

  • The main boundary feature in this area is hedgerows which accounts for most of the existing boundary features found The other two features found are ditches and woodlands.
  • Between 1999-2003 Countryside Stewardship capital agreements for linear features including hedge management, planting and restoration, amounted to only two per cent of the total resource.

Coast and rivers

  • In recent years rivers and coastal features have been enhanced in terms of chemical and biological quality and SSSI condition by uptake of agri-environmental agreements for management and restoration of riverine and/ or coastal features.
  • Research from 2006 on nitrate vulnerable zones found that in the Hertfordshire and London area, nitrates have the biggest impact on surface water, with only a small affect on In the Essex area nitrates affects both ground and surface water, with a greater affect on groundwater toward the coast. Phosphorus is another factor that can affect the health of river systems and can enter the water from agricultural land. This is having an increased impact in the Essex part of this character area.
  • Other factors affecting the rivers are invasive species, such as floating This blocks water courses, preventing movement of animals and affects some recreational activities such as boating and canoeing. Himalayan Balsam grows alongside river banks and creates a monoculture, out-competing other plants and preventing their growth. It also increases sedimentation in rivers as it dies back in winter leaving the banks exposed, so soils are easily washed into the rivers during heavy rainfall or flooding. Efforts are being made to remove these plants and others from river habitats through funding from Defra and as of 2014 some species of invasive plant, including floating pennywort, will be banned from being sold commercially in the UK.
  • Recreational activities such as boating can lead to increased rates of sedimentation within watercourses, especially along the River Lea and the Grand Union Canal. Modification of many watercourses can also have a detrimental effect on water overall water quality and the ecology of the area”s There has been extensive morphological alteration of rivers over many years, mainly in the London areas, to create canalised river systems with reinforced banks to prevent flooding and allow dredging to occur. This has resulted in a loss of habitat for species that cannot survive in fast flowing waters (including the young of many fish), the potential for increased erosion of banks that are not enforced, loss of bank/marginal habitats and potential loss of in-channel habitats through dredging. These problems need to be remedied as part of the Water Framework Directive (WFD), in order to obtain a “Good” status. Funding is currently being invested in creating in-channel habitats for species that do not flourish in fast  flowing waters, improvements/removal of bank profiling where suitable and reversal of canalisation where possible.
  • Urban diffusion pollution is also affecting parts of this character area and results from runoff from roads, air emissions contributing to acidification, organic waste (mainly from dog fouling), fertilisers and pesticides from gardens, parks and road verges, phosphorus from incorrectly plumbed washing machines and sediment from construction sites. These may result in high metal levels and biodegradable organic matter within the water (resulting in increased oxygen demand reducing the oxygen available for aquatic life).

Historic features

  • This area has a rich historical heritage and has historical evidence of settlement in the Hertfordshire, Essex heathlands and London areas dating back to prehistoric period along with palaeoenvironmental, Palaeolithic and archaeological evidence.
  • Although evidence of early settlements in the Essex wooded hills is sparse it is possible this area was managed for timber and fuel.
  • This area has nine sites on the English Heritage at risk register and many listed The main threats to these sites are the continued need for urban expansion and housing or industrial development and the management of agricultural land. This can be counteracted in some ways by the land owners entering into agri-environmental schemes.

Minerals

No information available.

Semi-natural habitats

  • Recent reductions in heathland extent and quality in the NCA have been caused by development pressure, a lack of active management (including traditional grazing practices) resulting in succession to woodland, over- management by amenity cutting, and recreational pressure. Major heath restoration and recreation works are currently progressing in Essex under Environmental Stewardship concentrated in Epping, Danbury and Tiptree with the aim of creating 20 ha of habitat and restoring 75 per cent of the existing resource.
  • Lack of management of coppice woodlands in Hertfordshire and Essex has resulted in the growth of dense “high forest”. Less than one per cent of woodland types are classified as This could be one cause for the lack of shrubs and young trees found in the NCA as less than 0.5 per cent of the woodland include these. This is also exacerbated by the high numbers of deer found in woodlands and rural areas.
  • Major losses of semi-natural woodland especially in the Essex wooded hills and ridges. In 2010 woodland covered 6 per cent of the total NCA This includes ancient semi-natural woodland (2 per cent) and ancient re-planted woodland (1 per cent).Community woodlands make up the largest proportion of woodlands with a total area of 12 per cent. There are two community woodlands: Watling Chase, which is in the south Hertfordshire/ north London area straddling three major roads, the M25, M1 and A1, and Thames Chase, which is found in the south Essex/east London area. Both where established in the early 1990s.
  • A decline in orchards, especially apple, has mainly affected Since 1990 orchards have declined significantly and this trend is continuing. Steps are in place to stop the reduction and future plans are to restore and increase the areas of orchards.
  • There is a localised loss of hedgerows due to the creation of larger fields and the loss of elm trees to Dutch elm disease. Through initiatives that use a landscape scale approach, hedgerow planting is being utilised to connect up isolated habitats which may help increase the viability of existing hedgerows and increase the total number.
  • A loss of pasture land on the flood plains due to changes in agricultural practices has mainly impacted on the Hertfordshire area.
  • The majority of SSSI within the Northern Thames Basin are in favourable condition and only seven per cent are classified as unfavourable declining or unchanged.

Settlement and development

  • London has an expanding population and pressure to meet housing demand and other changes is placing pressure on existing greenspace which varies considerable in There is an overall lack of access to greenspace especially in the case of deprived urban communities.
  • Small parts of the Northern Thames Basin NCA fall within The Thames Gateway Growth Area, including the new town of Basildon, the hinterland of Thurrock and most of Industrialisation has left a legacy of industrial and minerals sites that are now used as geology and wildlife nature reserves or to house development for example in Thurrock. The sub- regional priorities include promoting green infrastructure to improve the quality of the environment and create habitats and attract visitors through the ongoing application of the All London Green Grid more widely. Thames Chase Community Forest provides a substantial new element of green infrastructure in this area.
  • Within the Heart of Essex sub-region, as defined within the East of England Implementation Plan, growth is focussed within the character area on the town of Chelmsford due to its good links with London and proximity to Stansted Chelmsford is a strategic Growth Point, but retains issues in relation to flood risk in the town centre. It is an area heavily influenced by its proximity to London, containing the M25 and the London section of the M11, as well as high quality natural environments such as Epping Forest, the Lee Valley Regional Park and Hatfield Forest. The proximity to London already puts strong pressure for housing on the area, and affordable housing is a need. The Lee Valley is identified as a priority area for regeneration.
  • The part of the Northern Thames Basin in Colchester Borough lies within the Haven Gateway Growth This sub-region is one of the key international gateways to the UK. Colchester is part of the regional “cities” east initiative. The rural hinterland includes nationally important landscapes (Dedham Vale AONB) and internationally important ecological designations. The sub-region is subject to major housing and jobs growth putting potential pressure on sensitive landscapes and habitats through increased public access and recreation. Water resources are predicted to become stretched.
  • Brownfield sites can be a great source of biodiversity in developed areas, becoming a haven for many invertebrate species some of which may be locally or national Demand for housing and development in the area often results in the loss of these sites.

Trees and woodlands

  • Woodland cover is extensive across the Hertfordshire plateaux and the Essex wooded hills and ridges. Smaller intimate tree-lined valleys provide a strong contrast through un-wooded About 50 per cent of the woodland cover is on ancient woodland sites. The proportion of these sites covered by a woodland grant scheme has remained around 40 per cent since 1999. There have been a significant number of agreements for coppice management. Evidence suggests woodland character has at least been maintained. New tree planting is concentrated into larger blocks with apparent targeting within the Community Forests that occur in the area.
  • Deer impact on woodland flora and succession of tree species is an increasing pressure on woodlands locally.

Drivers of Change (reported in 2014)

Climate Change

  • The Northern Thames Basin is among the warmest and driest parts of the A number of characteristic specialist species, more typical of continental climates, survive here on the edge of their European range.
  • With predictions of increased temperatures, it is projected that species will advance their range northwards therefore the range and types of species found will change over time.
  • To facilitate the migration of species, better connectivity between habitats is required to prevent their extinction through loss of appropriate habitats and an inability to move to other areas.
  • Agricultural land is also at risk from soil erosion and nutrient loss as the soil becomes more susceptible to wind erosion in the predicted hotter and drier periods and water erosion in the wetter, colder periods. Increasing the size and connectivity of surrounding habitats, such as grasslands, will help support new species and improve biodiversity as well as reduce the affects of soil erosion. Also pollinating insects will benefit from the increase in semi-natural habitats and these in turn will benefit the local agricultural landscape. Predicted longer growing seasons and earlier onsets of spring will present an opportunity for introducing growth of new drought tolerant species.
  • There is a possibility that there will be species gains and losses, due to changes in season lengths and weather fluctuations. This could result in new combinations of species and communities.
  • Water availability will be a concern, with the potential loss of specific drought intolerant species, as a result of reduced soil water moisture and rising temperatures.
  • Woodland habitats (which make up a large proportion of semi-natural habitats in this area) may have increased above ground biomass due to increased carbon dioxide and nitrogen This may have an impact on ground or lower growing flora.
  • Wetlands and open water habitats and associated species are likely to have to cope with greater fluctuations in water levels which could be droughts or low rainfall in the summer with flooding or heavy rainfall in the As great crested newts are found in relatively large numbers in this area, it may have an adverse affect on this protected species.
  • The characteristic geological and archaeological deposits are susceptible to predicted changes in soil moisture content and the patterns of stability on exposed sections will change, necessitating new management methods.
  • Inner London and surrounding areas, which already have a micro climate/ urban heat island (UHI) effect, are likely to experience higher temperature increases than surrounding areas and this could result in species changes, possibly supporting more exotic invasive species such as parakeets that are already living wild in city parks. It is likely that water availability will become an increasing pressure.
  • Ideas to reduce the UHI affect include, creating urban forests and parklands to increase vegetation and to use all public green space as potential carbon Other adaptations could be to increase the use of garden roofs on high buildings or creating “green roofs” (where grass or other vegetation is able to grow in the roofs) on housing.

Other key drivers

  • Pressure for continued urban expansion and regeneration including industrial development, offers opportunities to improve well-being conditions for local communities such as, improving greenspace quality and provision, but will also put pressure on water availability and habitat fragmentation. Future mitigation needs to ensure these factors are considered when developments occur.
  • The Environment Agency, through the Water Framework Directive (WFD), is obligated to engage with stakeholders and communities to help improve the ecological status of the rivers by In this area most river stretches are classified as “moderate” but some are classified as “poor” or even “bad” ecological status, especially those in the Thames area.
  • The affects of agriculture practices on water quality, abstraction and surrounding habitats and wildlife will continue to be a This can be negated through continued support from agri-environmental schemes, which will enable landowners to continue their involvement in creating a diverse and productive environment.
  • Fragmented habitats could be improved by buffering and putting in place measures to create a network of connected habitats to allow species to disperse and become more healthy and resilient to the impacts of climate Gapping up of patchy hedgerows is one method that could be used and improvements in urban planting in gardens and public parks could also help support biodiversity for example, planting nectar-rich species.
  • There is scope to expand the area of recreation provision by improving public access, while ensuring the needs of sensitive sites are not adversely damaged through for example disturbance or excessive trampling.
  • The increased pressure for infrastructure development around London is going to continue to grow and create difficulties in preserving the London green belt. Care must be taken so that important habitats, geological, archaeological features and recreational greenspace is not destroyed in the process and the character of the area adversely affected.
  • There is significant opportunity to engage urban and rural communities in educational and volunteering activities for the benefit of the natural environment.
  • There are many existing mineral sites in the area and the demand for building material is large so this creates industrial opportunities. However, priority habitats need to be preserved to maintain the geodiverse and biodiverse nature of the area. There are also opportunities to return abandoned mineral sites back to the habitats that were previously found there and expand the biodiversity of the area. These mineral sites also reveal important and interesting geological features allowing greater understanding in the development of the local area and provide an important context and insight into our understanding of the potential impacts of future climate change and global These can be useful research and education sites.

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Monitoring Landscape Change Additional information on landscape change Short term change results of G1a: Changes in the landscape characteristics within this NCA
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