78 - Central North Norfolk : 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

Gently undulating to flat terrain with variable glacial soils, dissected by rolling wide river valleys.

Justification for selection:

• Wide open views with wooded horizons and big skies.
• Gravels, sands, chalk and boulder clay were deposited by the retreating ice of Pleistocene glaciations.
• Varied land cover is a reflection of mixed glacial soils, which determine natural vegetation patterns.
• Sediment deposits provide an archive of information on the geological history of the area.
• Mineral extraction of glacial deposits mainly occurs to the south of Holt and towards Norwich.
• Underlying Chalk bedrock forms a principal Chalk aquifer.

The Cromer Ridge.

Justification for selection:

• Glacial outwash deposits from the retreating ice sheets of the Anglian glaciations form this distinctive Cromer Ridge.
• The ridge is more densely wooded than surrounding areas and contains important remnant heathlands and mires.

Coastal cliffs.

Justification for selection:

• The eroding cliffs and natural coastal processes are of great geomorphological importance, providing the main source of sediment recharge elsewhere along the coast.
• Internationally important Pleistocene sediment and fossil deposits are exposed in eroding coastal cliffs.
• Important maritime cliff habitats and species.

Ancient tranquil countryside with a long-settled agricultural character.

Justification for selection:

• A sporadically rationalised patchwork field system, sinuous lanes and mixed hedges with hedgerow oaks.
• Predominately arable land use.
• Land use patterns have remained relatively unchanged from the 14th century until 20th-century rationalisation resulted in larger fields and the removal of hedgerows in some areas.
• High levels of tranquillity are found away from main roads.
• Hedgerows and set aside in arable land provide important refuges for wildlife and link fragmented semi-natural habitats.

Relatively well-wooded landscape.

Justification for selection:

• Relatively well-wooded landscape with a variety of woodland types with ancient woodland largely confined to isolated small pockets.
• The loss of traditional coppice management has reduced structural diversity of woodlands.
• Areas of ancient woodland have been supplemented with plantations of broadleaved and conifers.
• Poplar plantations have altered the traditional landscape on river valley floors.
• Cromer Ridge is more densely wooded than surrounding areas.

Important areas of remnant heathland.

Justification for selection:

• Heathland was historically more extensive but important remnant habitat still remains.
• Species-rich valley mire systems are associated with heathland areas.
• Heathland is particularly extensive on the light sandy soils of Cromer Ridge.

Important chalk rivers and tranquil river valleys.

Justification for selection:

• The River Wensum SAC is one of the most important chalk rivers in Britain.
• River valleys support an important mosaic of wetland, woodland and grassland habitats and species.
• Tranquillity is generally high in river valleys.

Historic settlement pattern with traditional building vernacular and materials and numerous prominent churches.

Justification for selection:

• A historic pattern of interspersed villages and isolated farmhouses within a complex minor road network, with a traditional pattern of market towns, still persists.
• A cohesive 17th- and 18th-century vernacular architecture has preserved into the 20th century.
• Distinctive red brick and flint buildings with pantiled roofs are an inherent component of the Norfolk character.
• Unusually rich density of medieval churches which are prominent features of the flat landscape.

Large number of 18th-century estates with their associated parkland.

Justification for selection:

• Medieval manors formed the basis of 17th- and 18th-century country house estates of various sizes.
• Many estates have accompanying parkland and frequently have their own church and village.
• Major country estates include Sheringham, Blickling and Felbrigg.

Landscape opportunities

• Allow natural coastal geomorphological processes to take place unimpeded.
• Protect internationally important Pleistocene sediment, fossil deposits and maritime cliff habitats and species along the coastline.
• Protect the important landscape feature of the Cromer Ridge and its woodland, heathland and fen habitats.
• Protect the historic settlement pattern by ensuring that new development maintains intrinsic character, building vernacular and materials.
• Protect the historic enclosed field pattern, with its characteristic winding lanes and boundary hedges.
• Protect the numerous, prominent churches that form distinctive landmarks in the landscape.
• Protect 18th-century estates and parkland from development and enhance their landscape character, biodiversity, wildlife and recreational value.
• Manage and enhance woodlands by replacing conifer and poplar plantations with native tree species, re-introducing traditional coppice management, creating new woodlands and connecting fragmented habitats.
• Manage and enhance heathland habitats, restoring remnant areas and connecting fragmented habitats.
• Manage chalk rivers to improve biodiversity by restoring a naturally- functioning system where possible, removing obstructions and barriers and re-connecting rivers to their flood plain.
• Manage and enhance existing arable farmland for wildlife by working with landowners to reinstate hedgerows, increase areas of set aside and arable margins, and adopt wildlife-friendly land management practices through stewardship schemes.
• Plan green infrastructure, including areas of broadleaved woodland to screen new developments, to enhance landscape character, improve biodiversity and recreational opportunities, and to make a positive contribution to climate change.
• Plan strategic and local networks of sustainable transport and public access linkages to improve recreational opportunities and mitigate for increased visitor pressure.