120 - Wealden Greensand : Landscape Change

National Character Area 120

Wealden Greensand - Landscape Change

Monitoring Landscape Change

Drivers for change
The Wealden Greensand area is made up of ancient woods and more recent conifer plantations as well as more open areas of heath, river valleys and mixed farming, all subject to climate driven impacts and increasing development. Hotter, drier summers may increase wildfire incidence, and could alter woodland composition with invasive species such as rhododendron and laurel, and increasing tree diseases may also have an effect. Increased development may cause associated urban fringe and suburban pressures including recreational activities on sensitive and vulnerable sites and habitats.

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

  • Agricultural land comprises a mosaic of mixed farming with pasture and arable land, and with a fruit growing belt in Kent and locally around Selborne in Hampshire.
  • Recent data from the Agricultural Census has indicated that between 2000 and 2009 the most significant decreases in farm type were horticulture and mixed farms. Dairy farms have also reduced in number. The Agricultural Census data also indicated livestock farms (52 per cent of total area) were the most prevalent farm type in 2009, these figures are supported by the area classified as grass and uncropped land. The remaining land use was made up of cereals, oilseeds, other arable crops and a small percentage
    of fruit (2 per cent). It appears as though this balance has been broadly maintained in more recent years.
  • The use of land for recreational purposes as opposed to agriculture, particularly in areas close to urban centres has led to deterioration in farmed character in response to increased pressure for more recreational land uses.
  • In the last 10 years there have been increased opportunities through agri- environment schemes to integrate a range of conservation measures into the farmed landscape. These have included management of fragments of acid grassland, heathlands, commons and flood plain grasslands.

Boundary features

  • The estimated boundary length of this NCA is about 8,769 km. According to Countryside Quality Counts research boundary features were considered neglected during the period 1999 to 2003, with just 4 per cent of the resource covered by an agri-environment scheme. The introduction of Environmental Stewardship in 2005 has led to a significant increase in the length of boundary features under positive environmental management with 860 km, nearly 10 per cent of estimated boundary length, within an Environmental Stewardship Scheme. Despite this, some hedgerows have developed gaps, become overgrown or been lost with corresponding impacts on local landscape character.
  • In some parts of the NCA, particularly in Surrey and west Sussex, horse paddocks and associated fence lines have become more prominent in the urban fringe.
  • Sunken tracks are a very distinctive feature in the west of the NCA, often associated with historic boundaries. Increased numbers of vehicles has resulted in the widening of these tracks and in some instances changed the character of what would have been narrow single track roads.

Coast and rivers

  • The coastline is undergoing constant change and there has been substantial development along the coastline. Along the frontage groynes have been constructed to retain sand and shingle that would have naturally been carried eastwards. The implementation of various defence schemes and management practices has led to a progressive denudation of sediment along the coastline causing narrowing and steepening of the foreshore. The legacy of the defence structures throughout this frontage means that apart from a small area there is very little natural evolution of the coast as a means of managing the shoreline.
  • The ecological status of waterbodies is now monitored under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). River basin management plans cover the rivers and coast of the NCA setting out the main issues and what actions need to be taken to deal with them. This change in approach is driving actions within catchments, including the establishment of catchment partnerships and the move towards a catchment based approach.
  • There are three Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) areas within the NCA (Medway and Eden, Stour and the Arun and Western Rother). The aim of CSF is to provide practical solutions and targeted support to enable farmers and land managers to reduce diffuse water pollution from agriculture. Recent change as a result of this initiative is difficult to quantify due to the time lag before observable improvements can be considered statistically significant. However, water quality is monitored across a range of representative catchments and the results confirm reductions in pollutant loads and concentrations resulting from the CSF initiative.

Historic features

  • Historic sites within the NCA are identified on the Heritage at Risk Register, with neglect, decay or inappropriate change (Heritage at Risk register) (8000 listed buildings and 283 scheduled monuments fall within the NCA). However, in the last decade agri-environment schemes have been targeted at these sites and as a result some sites have been successfully removed from the list.
  • Historic parkland is a feature of the area and there are 45 registered parks and gardens within the NCA. In 1995 it was estimated that 51 per cent of historic parkland had been lost within the NCA. However, in terms of remaining parkland, CQC research in 2003 indicated that about 35 per cent was covered by an historic parkland grant and about 34 per cent was included within an agri-environmental scheme. Since the launch of Environmental Stewardship in 2005 parkland options and standard capital items have been targeted at historic features and include the restoration and maintenance of parkland including the restoration of parkland structures such parkland railing and buildings.
  • The Photo Image Project (2006) recorded a high proportion of listed working farm buildings converted to non-agricultural use in this NCA; 56 per cent, the national average being 32 per cent (12 Draft Farmsteads Character Statement Wealden Greensand, English Heritage, 2006).

Minerals

  • The underlying geology of the NCA is of economic value and this is compounded by the number of active and disused quarries. There have been proposals for soft sand, crushed rock and silica sand sites within the NCA, within the various County Minerals and Waste Plans.
  • Kentish ragstone continues to be quarried, but only at two sites in Kent (both within the NCA) and is an important resource, particularly for restoration of historic buildings. However, at current rates, existing supplies will become exhausted and new reserves may need to be identified.
  • Where well managed, quarries, during and after their use, can be important ecological and geological sites.

Semi-natural habitats

  • Despite efforts to improve the quality of semi-natural habitats across the NCA and the progress that has been achieved through landscape scale projects and agri-environment schemes, much work still needs to be done to strengthen the connectivity and quality of habitats and to reduce further fragmentation in response to the threats to biodiversity from invasive species, climate change and development.
  • Fifty-eight per cent of SSSI are in ‘unfavourable recovering’ condition and 39 per cent are classed as in ‘favourable’ condition; the ongoing condition of these sites will be dependent on long term management and monitoring.
  • Work has been undertaken in recent years to improve the quality of heathland habitats and agri-environment scheme funding has provided a mechanism for this. However, invasion by scrub and bracken on heathlands where there is low grazing pressure continues to be an issue.
  • The Hindhead Tunnel, along the A3, was completed in 2011. This has led to landscape and biodiversity benefits. Two large areas of heathland have been linked and woodland creation has occurred on the route of the old road.
  • The outputs from the Assessing Regional Habitat Change (ARCH) project should be used for a review of the habitats in Kent and the most recent habitat data and trends. Currently this information is only available for Kent and does not include areas of the NCA that fall into Surrey, Sussex or Hampshire.

Settlement and development

  • Countryside Quality Counts research suggested that between 1999 and 2003 development continued to significantly transform the character of some parts of the NCA with most development concentrated in the east, especially between Sevenoaks and Maidstone.
  • Degradation of the urban fringe landscape notably in the east and a change in the character associated with small holdings, particularly within parts of the central area of the NCA are notable.
  • Enhancement of transport networks has had a significant impact, notably the high speed Channel Tunnel Rail Link and major road networks.
  • Pressure for development sites will continue within the NCA, most likely in the central and eastern areas around existing urban centres, but also at Petersfield and Bordon in the west. Bordon has been identified as an eco-town. Eco- towns are intended to achieve sustainable development in conjunction with affordable housing.

Trees and woodlands

  • Countryside Quality Counts research (Countryside Quality Counts) indicated that the coverage of Woodland Grant Scheme for management of established woodland and ancient woodland was considered high, with some attention to restocking and coppice felling with an overall increase in coverage from 24 per cent to 28 per cent between 1999 and 2003.
  • Invasive species continue to threaten the woodlands including rhododendron and laurel which thrive on acidic sandy soils within woodlands. Tree diseases more recently identified include Chalara fraxinea and Phytophthora ramorum.
  • Management has tended to concentrate on coniferous rotations in the west rather than traditional management of deciduous woodlands, where much potential is still to be realised.
  • The 1987 storm had significant impacts on the more exposed faces of the Greensand, with some major wind blow areas such as those around Leith Hill. These areas have now regenerated.
  • In the past some coniferous plantations were reverted to heathland in response to a drive to restore and link degraded heathland habitats. Agri- environment schemes provided the mechanism for some larger scale heathland restoration in the early years of schemes. However, after initial activity the larger scale reversion of coniferous plantations has generally declined but with some targeted conifer removal still ongoing.
  • A steady resurgence in the appreciation for the value of wood as both a carbon lean building material and fuel suggests a steady restoration of active management to many woods within the NCA over the next decade. Greater understanding of the multifunctional values of woodland habitats and sustainable woodland management techniques (as defined by the UK Forestry Standard) is likely to result in a more resilient and integrated landscape character.
  • Similarly market opportunities for all forms of biomass are likely to provide economic drivers to help maintain heathland habitats.

Drivers of Change (reported in 2014)

Climate Change

Potential impacts include:

  • Change in woodland composition as a result of hotter, drier summers and new tree diseases, with competition from invasive species and notably loss of beech as a result of dieback due to soil moisture stress and wind blow due to increased storminess (For more information on Natural England’s Character Area Climate Change Project, see (Natural England’s Character Area Climate Change Project) – this has significant implications for the internationally important East Hampshire Hangers SAC in the west.
  • Effects of hotter, drier summers on remnant areas of lowland heath, including changes in community composition, with a potential increase in perennial grasses, and birch at the expense of heather, potential reduced growth during summer months, and increased risk of wild fires as a result of increased temperatures.
  • There may be a deterioration in wetland habitats due to summer drought, affecting wet woodland, fens, reedbeds, grazing marsh and wet meadows.
  • If winters become wetter and summers drier, this could result in flooding and drought, potentially impacting on the flow regimes of the area’s watercourses.
  • Effects on orchards, including potential tree or crop loss due to drought stress, waterlogged soils and wind throw.
  • Accelerated erosion of coastal cliffs.
  • Longer growing seasons and different crop timings could result in the introduction of novel crops with appearance of species and crops adapted to new climatic conditions, with a longer growing season potentially leading to double cropping.
  • Flood risk is likely to increase as climate change increases the magnitude and frequency of flood events.
  • Pressure upon the water supply due to summer drought exacerbated by increased demand for abstraction.
  • Changes in climate may result in species movements including the return of native species, expansion in the range of some species from continental Europe and some northward migration of indigenous species.

Other key drivers

  • Development pressures offer a challenge but where permitted it will be important to maximise opportunities for landscape and ecological enhancements through delivery of priority habitats and greenspace. Well planned green infrastructure within and reaching out from urban areas can help mitigate climate change and provide other environmental, economic and societal benefits.
  • Increased development may cause associated urban fringe and suburban pressures including recreational activities on sensitive and vulnerable sites and habitats. An integrated approach to recreation management will be required especially to mitigate threats to key biodiversity sites including European sites. In addition, increased pressure for recreational facilities such as golf courses and horse riding centres, while servicing demand may impact on the rural character of the landscape particularly, in the west.
  • New housing may place additional demands on water resources of the NCA, particularly the aquifers. If not managed appropriately this could significantly affect the natural springs, wet marshes and heathland habitats with knock on effects for protected sites and species.
  • There is likely to be continued demand for sand, sandstone and ragstone, this may result in applications for new quarries. Opportunities for restoration of disused quarries should be sought, to maximise their geological, environmental and amenity potential. There may also be a drive to safeguard the mineral resource of the NCA, protecting supplies for future generations.
  • New export markets, changing climate and increased pressure for food production in the future, as a result of a national drive for greater self- sufficiency in food is likely to have an effect on existing agricultural practices and land use.
  • A requirement for increasing renewable energy generation could result in pressure for wind farm developments and increased pressure for the growth of biomass crops (Defra’s maps show predominantly high potential miscanthus yields and medium potential SRC yields throughout the area).
  • Delivery of flood risk management options as set out in the Rother, Wey, Mole, Arun, Stour and Medway catchment flood management plans should help to reduce flood risk.
  • Working at a landscape scale can help to establish a coherent and resilient ecological network, capable of adapting to environmental change and halting losses in biodiversity. Increasing focus on connectivity and resilience is likely to inform landscape scale projects throughout the NCA and could be used to drive improvements in quality and extent of semi-natural habitats.
  • There is likely to be sustained pressure from tourism, especially to the protected landscapes of the South Downs National Park, Surrey Hills AONB and Kent Downs AONB. There will need to be a balance between maximising income from tourism and protecting the natural assets of the NCA.
  • Future water resource issues are likely to have an impact on the NCA. The Greensand aquifer is an important source of water and is likely to come under increasing pressure. It will be important to work in partnership and across sectors to help safeguard the water resources. Implementation of the Water Framework Directive should improve the ecological status or potential of the NCA’s rivers and quality of groundwater.
  • The economics of woodland and heathland management, including the establishment of markets for wood fuel, high quality timber and heathland products is likely to be critical for securing the longer term sustainable management of the woodland and heathland resource.
  • The Ministry of Defence are key landowners within the NCA and there may be increasing pressure to make use of the military training estate. This could have implications for habitats, tranquillity and public accessibility.

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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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