4 - Cheviots : 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

Distinctive volcanic geology forming a sinuous cluster of rounded hills with granitic tors on the summit, rocky outcrops and scree slopes on the northern flanks, and many glacial and post-glacial features.

Justification for selection:

• The underlying igneous rocks give rise to the impressive and distinctive rounded hills of the Cheviot massif and surrounding hills that tower over the Cheviot Fringe.
• Some of the more resistant lavas have weathered to form the distinctive rocky tors on some of the hill tops.
• A prominent intrusion of brick-red microgranite, the ‘red whin’, at Biddlestone is quarried for red roadstone used to demarcate ‘hard shoulders’ on many of Britain’s motorways and to line The Mall in London.
• The Cheviots display many fine examples of glacial and post-glacial features which provide important opportunities for research and education; the Humbleton Hill and the Trows SSSI provides some of the best examples of sub-glacial meltwater channels in northern England.
• The rocky outcrops and scree slopes on the northern flanks of the Cheviots support rare relict communities of arctic-alpine flora.

Extensive rolling moorlands of blanket bog, heathland and acid grassland grazed by sheep and managed as grouse moors.

Justification for selection:

• Over 6,700 ha of upland heath and 5,500 ha of blanket bog; 3,492 ha of this designated as The Cheviot SSSI.
• The upland mosaic supports a wide variety of birds such as the occasional black grouse, ring ouzel, peregrine, merlin and buzzards and the upland waders, such as dunlin, golden plover and curlew.
• There is a long tradition of rearing hardy sheep and cattle in the Cheviots to provide stock for cross- breeding and to sell directly to the meat industry, supporting the local economy and maintaining the semi-natural habitats. The characteristic Cheviots and Northumberland Blackface sheep are native breeds that originate from this area.
• A rare population of wild primitive goats survive on the remote moorlands of the Cheviots.
• Moorlands provide a range of benefits including biodiversity interest, water and carbon capture, inspirational experience, recreation opportunities and livestock rearing.

Steep-sided valleys with fast-flowing burns radiate from the Cheviots, supporting relict semi-natural broadleaved woodland, gorse scrub, wet flushes and species-rich meadows.

Justification for selection:

• The Cheviots contain the headwaters of two major river systems: the River Coquet and River Till.
• The deep, narrow valleys that radiate out from the Cheviots, each with their own distinct character, drain the uplands and flow into the lowlands of the Cheviot Fringe, providing water for agricultural irrigation and public water supply.
• This NCA is noted for the high quality of its water. The River Coquet (SSSI), River Till/Tweed (SAC) and their tributaries are recognised for their importance in supporting nationally and internationally important species such as otter, brook and river lamprey, Atlantic salmon, water crowfoot, river jelly lichen, freshwater pearl mussel and the diatom Didymosphenia; the water quality is generally good. They are also nationally important game fisheries.
• Remnants of alder, ash, oak, juniper and hazel woodland line the watercourses, much of it designated as SSSI.
• Relatively few of the once more widespread flower-rich meadows that were found in the sheltered valley bottoms still exist but these are recognised for their high biodiversity value and the best examples designated as SSSI and SAC.

Coniferous woodland plantations occur on some upper valley slopes.

Justification for selection:

• The NCA contains over 3,819 ha of commercial plantations (this figure represents mature or nearly mature plantation only and does not include new planting or recently felled areas) covering more than 10.5 per cent of the NCA.
• The regular outlines of these plantations interrupt the smooth lines and open vistas of the moorland landscape and re-structuring or removal of many is planned or underway.
• The presence of these plantations helps to support red squirrels which are still found throughout the area. Some of the larger blocks such as Kidland and Uswayford are being managed as reserves for this iconic species.

A wealth of archaeology with extensive tracts of well-preserved and highly visible prehistoric landscapes and deserted villages, extensive field systems, shielings and enclosures from the medieval period.

Justification for selection:

• The Cheviots contain outstanding multi-period prehistoric landscapes such as Yeavering Bell and Humbleton Hill and are one of the most important sites for bronze-age remains in Britain.
• Iron-age hill forts are distinctive and highly visible features of this area.
• Bastles reflect the unsettled history of the Anglo-Scottish border area.
• Extensive remains from the medieval period take the form of deserted villages, field systems, shielings and enclosures and reinforce the sense that human settlement of the area has changed greatly over time.
• There are 243 Scheduled Monuments.

Large regular fields enclosed by drystone walls or dykes on higher ground and hedgerows in the valley bottoms.

Justification for selection:

• Strong patterns of enclosure dating from the late-18th and 19th centuries.
• Walls constructed from local stone reinforce links with the underlying geology.

Buildings are constructed from local stone. Isolated farmsteads nestle in the sheltered valleys with larger hamlets and villages found in the foothills where the valleys meet the lowlands. Roads are restricted to valley floors and there are no routes through the Cheviots.

Justification for selection:

• Low population and few settlements, the pattern dictated by the steep topography and harsh climate.
• Villages often have ancient origins, occupying strategic sites associated with drove roads and border tracks and sometimes their confluence with rivers.
• Use of local stone creates strong visual links with the landscape and underlying geology.
• Sparse settlement and lack of roads contributes to the characteristic sense of remoteness.

Ancient tracks and drove roads that cross the Cheviots form the basis of an extensive public rights of way network.

Justification for selection:

• The numerous tracks and drove roads provide strong reminders of the long history of movement of people and animals through this border area, driving cattle from Scotland to markets in the south.
• These tracks are now used and enjoyed by numerous visitors to the Northumberland National Park.

A wild and remote landscape characterised by low levels of intrusion and light pollution which evokes a strong sense of tranquillity.

Justification for selection:

• The entire NCA is now classified as ‘undisturbed’ according to CPRE data making this NCA, along with the adjacent Border Moors and Forests NCA, the most tranquil in England.
• Sparse settlement, few built structures and the restriction of vehicular access to the valley floors contribute to a sense of remoteness.
• The Cheviots form the northern end of the Northumberland National Park. The sheltered, tranquil wooded valleys contrast with the wild, open and windswept moorland, providing a diverse and high quality environment for quiet enjoyment and appropriate recreation.
• Sparse settlement means the night skies are some of the darkest in England and as such the Northumberland National Park Authority has applied for International Dark Skies Park status to include this NCA.

Landscape opportunities

• Protect the highly-valued tranquillity, remoteness, open vistas and dark night skies which characterise this area by discouraging sources of disturbance, limiting inappropriate development by considering the impacts of development both within this area and adjacent NCAs, and removing redundant structures.
• Protect, manage and enhance the extensive moorland mosaics through securing sustainable mixed livestock farming and grouse moor management to increase biodiversity interest and benefit water, soil and carbon regulation services.
• Restore blanket bog and encourage active peat formation by grip-blocking and through careful grazing and heather-burning management to encourage full vegetative cover, improving water and carbon retention capacity.
• Manage and significantly increase broadleaved woodland cover, particularly along rivers and streams and taking opportunities for large-scale planting from valleys up onto hillsides where this avoids historic ground features, creating an ecological network more resilient to climate change, helping to regulate water flow and strengthening sense of place.
• Protect, restore and enhance the rivers and streams, improving water quality through securing sustainable moorland grazing and heather burning regimes, managing livestock movements near watercourses, encouraging good soil management throughout the catchment and restoring woodland in the cleughs.
• Manage and restructure conifer plantations to ‘soften’ the landscape impact and increase biodiversity interest. But manage any large, key blocks that support red squirrel populations as refuges, avoiding clear-felling or diversifying with large-seeded tree species and controlling grey squirrels in these and buffering areas
• Utilise opportunities presented by the felling of mature conifer plantations on upper slopes to restore heathland and grassland habitats, reinstating the smooth lines of the landscape, with compensatory broadleaved woodland planting in more suitable locations such as in the valleys and on lower slopes.
• Find ways to support upland farming practices to protect, manage, enhance and expand valuable grassland habitats, particularly the species-rich hay meadows in the valley bottoms, contributing to ecological networks that should be more robust to environmental change and improving the heterogeneity of the area.
• Protect and conserve the wealth of archaeology, preserving and interpreting the evidence of multi-period occupation, recognising the exceptionally high potential in this area for identifying further archaeological evidence of settlement and use.
• Provide access to and interpretation of the extensive geodiversity and heritage assets of the area and encourage their use for research and education, enabling more people to visit, enjoy and understand the interconnections between the physical geography, natural history and historical development of the area.
• Protect and reinforce the historic settlement pattern, encouraging the restoration of traditional buildings and stone walls using local stone and building methods and ensuring any new developments are appropriate and in-keeping with the landscape and local vernacular.
• Enable appropriate access for all abilities, maintaining and expanding the public rights of way network and range of recreation opportunities, incorporating links to key geological and historical sites wherever possible, linking to tourism facilities and developing innovative activities to enhance people’s access to and enjoyment of the natural environment in a responsible and sustainable way.