44 - Central Lincolnshire Vale : Summary and Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity

Summary

The Central Lincolnshire Vale National Character Area’s (NCA’s) tranquil, rural and sparsely settled landscape is largely used for agricultural production, mainly for the growing of arable crops, principally cereals. This is in spite of historically challenging soils and conditions. Its dominant ‘boulder clay’ derived soils underlain by mudstone bedrock lead to seasonably waterlogged conditions which, under natural unmodified conditions, support wet grasslands and woodlands; however, a history of agricultural improvement along with modern machinery and agrochemicals have transformed the land and vastly increased its productivity.

An imperceptible rise in landform across the centre of the NCA means that the northern half drains north into the River Ancholme and out to the Humber, while the southern end drains into the River Witham and The Wash. Most of this natural drainage pattern has been straightened, deepened and confined within steep embankments and the land drained – especially north towards the Humber. In contrast, pockets of wind-blown sand deposits (the Coversands) and river-derived sands and gravels (the Fen Edge Gravels) have led to localised contrasting landscapes where soils are sandy, acidic and infertile and heathland habitats are found along with some extensive coniferous plantations.

The Vale formed part of the ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Lindsey (meaning ‘island of Lincoln’) which was almost cut off from neighbouring land by the Humber, The Wash and extensive wetlands between, with the only easy land access being along Ermine Street on the narrow Lincolnshire Limestone ridge, where Lincoln has been the key settlement of the wider area since Roman times. Access to the city and the sea via the River Witham has had important influence and led to a cluster of medieval settlements and monastic sites near to its course. The Vale still retains a sense of remoteness enhanced by its thinly scattered population and general lack of development and major roads and one of its key ecosystem services is the tranquillity of its landscape. The low, open nature of the land means that skies are expansive and relatively free of light pollution.

Other key ecosystem services include its biodiversity resource which, despite being very limited overall, provides clusters of value, perhaps most notably but not exclusively in the Bardney Limewoods National Nature Reserve which provides the greatest concentration of original wildwood left in the country. The recreational potential of the area is also important because of the Vale’s close proximity to Lincoln and also the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, of which a small part extends into the area. Provision of food is a very important function of the NCA. A key challenge for the Vale is balancing agricultural and forestry production with the enhancement of other ecosystem services such as the regulation of water quality.

Headline Statements of Environmental Opportunity (SEO)

See the Statements of Environmental Opportunity section for more details on the headlines listed below.

SEO 1

Restore natural watercourse and flood plain functionality within the Vale, ensuring no harm to archaeological assets, and seek habitat creation and linkages and land management changes through the area, to improve resilience and ecosystem capacity to regulate water quality, regulate water flow and reduce soil erosion. This will also enhance riverine character, recreational experience and ecological connectivity.

SEO 2

Protect and enhance the rural character and tranquillity of the Vale, much valued for their contribution to sense of place, inspiration and recreation. Ensure that new development is informed by local assessments, opportunity and mapping studies to help to minimise impact and maximise environmental gain through good design and appropriate screening, and promote green infrastructure links to ensure that the surrounding settlements have access to the many recreation assets which contribute to the health and wellbeing of both residents and visitors.

SEO 3

Manage the valuable ancient lime woodlands, enhance and increase the woodland and hedgerow network, and seek to restore and re-create heathland and acid grassland, where appropriate, to strengthen ecological diversity and connectivity, enhance landscape character, improve soil and water quality, reduce soil erosion, increase carbon storage, and bring opportunities for timber and biomass provision.

SEO 4

Improve the environmental sustainability of agriculture within the Vale and enhance the capacity of natural ecosystems to support the long-term provision of food, improve soil quality, enhance water quality (especially in the Ancholme basin), provide habitat for pollinators, enhance farmland habitats and benefit climate regulation.

SEO 5

Protect and enhance the historic character of the Vale including the monastery sites, shrunken medieval villages, parklands and villages. Increase awareness of the richness of this resource, protect it from neglect and physical damage, and ensure that future development complements and enhances the sense of history.