147 - Blackdowns : Analysis: Landscape Attributes & Opportunities

Analysis supporting Statements of Environmental Opportunity

The following analysis section focuses on the landscape attributes and opportunities for this NCA.

Further analysis on ecosytem services for this NCA is contained in the Analysis: Ecosytem Services section.

Landscape attributes

An area of high scenic value with open, exposed plateaux tops, often fringed by dark woodland on the adjoining steep scarp slopes, creating distinctive, unspoilt and extensive skylines, and far- reaching and dramatic views.

Justification for selection:

• Steep scarp slopes which are densely wooded – ancient oak with bluebells and primroses – and some conifer plantations which extend onto the ridges, collectively creating perceptions of tranquillity.
• Several areas designated as SSSI including ancient woodland sites such as Quants (also a SAC), Prior’s Park and Adcombe Wood (providing important habitats for bats), and heathland commons such as Blackdown and Sampford Commons.
• Outstanding views across East Devon; northern vantage points rising to 313 m offer extensive views across Somerset including the Vale of Taunton and beyond to the Quantock Hills and Exmoor National Park.
• Sense of isolation and remoteness, enhanced by exposure of the plateaux.
• Remnant areas of gorse, heathland and bracken on the plateaux, some registered common land (one per cent of the NCA).
• Straight roads with verges running along the length of the ridges.
• High scenic quality reflected by designation as the Blackdown Hills, Dorset and the East Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
• Distinctive, north-facing scarp marked by the Wellington Monument, lending a strong sense of place and widespread visual influence across the Vale of Taunton.
• Regular modern and Parliamentary enclosure fields of large and medium scale on the plateaux, reflecting late enclosure of common land such as Stockland Hill.

Strong hedgerow pattern with hedgerow trees, notably beech in the north, coupled with beech avenues, small broadleaved woods, occasional farm orchards and carr woodland, create an enclosed wooded appearance.

Justification for selection:

• Low, narrow earthbanks with hedgerows on the plateaux, with wider historic banks in the upper farmed valleys, and more species-diverse Devon hedgerows (including beech, sycamore, ash, hazel and gorse) with flower, fern and moss-rich banks on lower slopes.
• Carr and wet woodland found along springlines and valley bottoms are designated as local wildlife sites.
• Extensive belts of oak-ash woodland and some areas of conifer plantation lend visual enclosure.
• Woodlands separated by small fields enclosed by species-rich hedgerows and mature hedgerow trees create a well-wooded appearance.
• Magnificent beech avenues on the plateaux tops, particularly towards the north.
• Traditional orchards associated with springline villages and farmsteads, and the coastal combes.
• The NCA contains 11,010 ha of woodland (14 per cent of the total area), of which 1,676 ha (15 per cent) is ancient woodland: 959 ha is ancient semi-natural woodland and 717 ha is Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS).
• Many woods are designated as SSSI or local wildlife sites.

An enclosed, predominantly pastoral valley landscape with narrow, winding, sinuous lanes bordered with species-rich hedgebanks, connecting historic villages, hamlets and springline settlements.

Justification for selection:

• Picturesque villages with traditional buildings linked by narrow, winding lanes crossing historic stone bridges.
• Early 20th-century artist Robert Bevan and the Camden Town Group of artists associated with Clayhidon.
• Smaller, curving fields of medieval origin on valley slopes.
• Historic settlements sited at old river-crossing points just above the flood plain including Axminster, Seaton and Colyton and the villages of Hemyock, Whitford, Maidenhayne, Musbury, Kingsdon and Colyford.
• Villages clustered at road crossings, for example Hawkschurch and Uplyme and the more recent development of Raymond’s Hill.
• A dispersed pattern of farmsteads scattered across the valley sides, often nestling next to springlines.
• A high degree of tranquillity and remoteness in the tributary valleys.
• Ninety-four per cent of the NCA is classified as either Grade 4 or 5 agricultural land with a dominance of grazing livestock.

A landscape supporting a mosaic of diverse semi-natural habitats: chalk grassland to unimproved acidic grassland, ancient oak woodland to carr woodland, springline mires to estuary mudflats.

Justification for selection:

• Remnant areas of gorse, heathland and bracken on the plateau; ancient semi-natural and broadleaved woodlands on the scarp slopes; semi-improved and unimproved acidic and neutral grassland and springline mires (including carr woodland) occurring mainly on the scarp slope and in the upper farmed valleys; and rare chalk grassland and coastal and estuarine habitats, all resulting in a plethora of designations.
• Four Special Areas of Conservation covering one per cent of the NCA, ranging from dry grassland and woodland, through riverine to estuarine habitats.
• A total of 35 SSSI wholly or partly within the NCA, covering two per cent of area.
• The diversity and richness of the NCA’s biodiversity is reflected in the number of local wildlife sites: 615 sites are identified, covering 7 per cent of the NCA.

A landscape drained by streams and rivers radiating out from the plateaux into deeply incised valleys and giving rise to springline mires, carr woodland and rushy grassland.

Justification for selection:

• The sense of isolation, tranquillity and remoteness is enhanced by the natural qualities of the rivers and woodlands.
• Springs emerge from the interface of Greensand and clays resulting in numerous streams and associated areas of mires, willow carr and rushy grassland. Many such areas are designated as local wildlife sites or SSSIs, for example Southey and Gotleigh Moors SSSI.
• All rivers have fairly short courses and flow to the south coast.

A dramatic and dynamic coastline of distinctive tall red sandstone cliffs contrasting with the adjacent white chalk cliffs. Large-scale landslips continue to create undercliffs of international importance.

Justification for selection:

• High scenic quality reflected by designation of entire coastline as part of the East Devon AONB.
• One per cent of the NCA is a nominated natural World Heritage Site; the Jurassic Coast is the first such designation on mainland Britain and stretches the entire coastline of the NCA.
• The chalk and limestone cliffs are unique in a Devon context and represent the most westerly chalk cliffs in England.
• Shingle beach between Beer Head and Sidmouth is one of three UK sites for the rare scaley cricket.
• The coastline from Sidmouth westwards is also designated as a Special Area of Conservation (Sidmouth to West Bay SAC) for features including the sea cliffs and shingle.
• Eleven km of coastal National Nature Reserve. The Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs NNR is one of the largest and most important active coastal landslip systems in Western Europe.

A coastal landscape with deeply incised, wooded combes nestling between high, exposed and windblown plateaux.

Justification for selection:

• High value for recreation, including part of the South West Coastal Path long distance route.
• Many cultural associations with writers and artists who have been inspired by the dramatic coastal scenery including Lionel Aggett, John Fowles and Carolyn Vernon.
• Exceptional views out to sea and along the coast.
• Area of high tranquillity away from larger settlements and A3052 coastal road, particularly in the sheltered combes.

A flat, biodiversity-rich, estuarine landscape; a mosaic of open water, reedbeds, salt marsh and grazing marshes, unsettled and unenclosed.

Justification for selection:

• Meandering course of the River Axe and network of drainage ditches are features of the flood plain and maritime tidal marsh at the estuary and coast.
• Estuary habitats valued for their saltmarshes, mudflats and waders.
• River Axe is SSSI and SAC. Notable species include the lamprey, bullhead fish, otter and salmon.

A landscape with a strong time connection and association with its geology and geomorphology. From bronze-age barrows and hill forts utilising the elevated ridges to fishing harbours hugging the coast, the diverse and rich local vernacular reflects the internationally significant geodiversity.

Justification for selection:

• Seven Registered Parks and Gardens covering 495 ha including Woodend Park which contains notable veteran trees of national importance for their wood decay invertebrates and lichens, and Combe House noted for its historic wood pasture and parkland.
• 101 Scheduled Monuments including bronze-age barrows at Gittisham Hill; iron-age hill forts such as Castle Neroche and Blackbury Camp; earthwork remains of former castles, for example Stockland Little Castle; remains of a Cistercian abbey at Dunkeswell; and the site of Roman villa at Whitestaunton, all lending strong time-depth.
• 2,692 Listed Buildings.
• Diverse local vernacular including: local cherts (flint-like nodules occurring within Greensand) with red brick detailing and slate roofs; cob and thatch; and sandstone buildings with slate roofs and red brick detailing.
• Many historic features including the Fosse Way Roman road, the Roman town of Axminster, ancient lanes and greenways.
• Second World War buildings and features including: pillboxes which form a distinctive landscape feature within the flood plain; historic ruins of Colcombe Castle, Newenham Abbey and other defensive features; airfields and associated buildings, such as control towers and aircraft bunds.
• Intact historic hamlets centred on churches, with many listed buildings and little or no modern development, adding to local distinctiveness and sense of place.
• Seven SSSI designated for their geological interest and five for their mixed interest, including Beer Quarry caves, designated for its geological features and population of hibernating bats.
• Twenty Local Geological Sites, including the former sand and gravel workings at Kilmington (terrace gravels containing exotic pebbles).

Landscape opportunities

• Protect the distinctive, unspoilt and exposed skylines from inappropriate development, particularly vertical structures, and encourage management of the characteristic woodland ‘fringe’ using traditional methods.
• Protect and enhance the open, uniform character of the ridgetop plateaux by encouraging management and re-creation of the heathland commons, restoring prominent conifer plantations to semi-natural habitats, and resisting development of an inappropriate scale and character.
• Conserve the historic settlement form of clustered villages and hamlets at road and river crossings and along springlines. Protect locally distinctive building styles and use of local materials, encouraging their integration into new development as well as sustainable technologies.
• Protect and appropriately manage the rich cultural heritage of the area, including bronze-age barrows, hill forts and earthwork castles, through appropriate land, stock and recreation management.
• Protect the network of enclosed, narrow, winding lanes and long, straight ridge roads by resisting unsympathetic highway improvements or signage; encouraging restoration and management of species-rich hedgebanks, hedgerow trees and avenues; and promote sustainable transport options to reduce traffic levels.
• Conserve and enhance the open and largely undeveloped character of the cliffs, avoiding the siting of new development and vertical structures on prominent skylines immediately above or along the coastline where otherwise largely bucolic. Sensitively interpret the coastline’s outstanding geological and geomorphic features and raise awareness of the dynamic nature of the coast.
• Manage and enhance the woodlands, planning for greater connectivity that is sympathetic to landscape character and protection of the ‘wooded’ character. Promote traditional management techniques including coppicing of semi-natural woodlands, multi-functional management of conifer plantations and restoration of traditional orchards.
• Within the valleys, manage and extend species-rich meadows, mires and rushy pastures to enhance biodiversity richness and connectivity, support the sense of tranquillity, and assist water and soil regulation.
• Manage and enhance the network of hedgerows and hedgerow trees, strengthening the strong, square field pattern with distinctive beech hedgerows and avenues, enhancing perceptions of tranquillity and isolation. Promote traditional management techniques, such as coppicing of grown-out trees and styles of construction including stone-facing on banks.
• Manage nationally important coastal and estuarine habitats including the reedbeds, salt and grazing marshes, enhancing biodiversity and protecting the unsettled and unenclosed character.
• Protect the high scenic value of the NCA, the tranquillity and outstanding views by giving careful consideration to the scale and siting of new development and infrastructure.